Air purifier

ABSTRACT

A humidifying air purifier includes a cabinet having an opening portion formed in an upper portion thereof, and a scroll housing disposed below the opening portion in the cabinet with an air blowing fan disposed in the scroll housing. The scroll housing may include a rounded first guide surrounding a portion of an outer periphery (or circumference) of the air blowing fan; a second guide extending from one end portion of the first guide toward the opening portion; a third guide extending from a cutoff portion formed at the other end portion of the first guide toward the opening portion and inclined in a direction away from the second guide toward the opening portion; and an extension plate extending horizontally from an upper end portion of the third guide in a direction away from the second guide and positioned below the opening portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0007385 (filed on Jan. 19, 2018), No. 10-2018-0019453 (filed on Feb. 19, 2018), No. 10-2018-0019429 (filed on Feb. 19, 2018), No. 10-2018-0019464 (filed on Feb. 19, 2018), No. 10-2018-0021947 (filed on Feb. 23, 2018), No. 10-2018-0031929 (filed on Mar. 20, 2018) and No. 10-2018-0133156 (filed on Nov. 1, 2018) all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a humidifying air purifier capable of performing air purification and air humidification.

The air purifier is understood as a device for sucking and purifying contaminated air, and then discharging the purified air. For example, the air purifier may include an air blowing device for flowing outside air into the inner portion of the air purifier, and a filter for filtering dust, germs, or the like in the air.

A humidifier is understood as a device for sucking air to humidify and then discharging the humidifying air to provide moisture to the air. The humidifiers in the related art are classified into a vibration type in which water is atomized in a vibration plate and then the atomized water is discharged into the air and natural evaporation type which water is naturally evaporated in the humidifying filter. The natural evaporation type humidifier includes a disk type humidifier in which a disk is rotated using a driving force and water is naturally evaporated from the surface of the disk in the air and a humidifying filter type humidifier in which water is naturally evaporated by flowing air in the water-soaked humidifying medium.

In recent years, a humidifying air purifier has been developed which adds a humidification function to an air purifier. In the humidifying air purifying device disclosed in the related art JP 2011-226670A (published on Nov. 11, 2011), an intake through which air is sucked is positioned between the main body and the front panel, and a discharge port through which humidified air is discharged is positioned on the upper surface of the main body.

However, the humidifying air purifying device disclosed in the related art JP 2011-226670A has the following problems.

Since the intakes are formed at the upper, lower, left, and right edges of the front panel, the air sucked in different directions interferes with each other, so that the air sucked into the main body may not flow smoothly.

In addition, the intake may damage the outer appearance of the humidifying air purifying device.

In addition, since there is no structure for guiding the air blown by the air blowing means upward, only a portion of the air blown by the blowing means is discharged to the discharge port on the upper side, and the other portion is stagnated in the main body and efficiency may be lowered.

In addition, since the discharge port is opened during the operation of the humidifying air purifying device, a large foreign matter may enter the discharge port. In addition, there is a risk of being injured by the rotating air blowing means when the user's body enters.

In addition, a vane for adjusting the discharge angle of the humidifying air is disposed in the discharge port, but, in a case where the vane is bent backward, the wall positioned behind the humidifying air purifying device is humidified by the humidified air discharged to the discharge port, and thus there is a fear that mold or the like occurs.

In addition, in a case where the humidifying air purifying device is placed next to the bed, the humidifying air of the discharge port may be directly discharged toward the user's face or head to give the user an unpleasant feeling.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present invention is to provide a humidifying air purifier provided so that a flow of discharged air having been purified or humidified is suitable for an indoor use environment.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a humidifying air purifier capable of reducing noise caused by driving of an air blowing fan.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a humidifying air purifier capable of effectively reducing noise generated by the flow of air.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a humidifying air purifier which can comfortably form a user sleeping environment.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a humidifying air purifier having a housing structure in which the functions of a plurality of sensors can be effectively performed aerodynamically.

In order to achieve the above objectives, the humidifying air purifier according to the present embodiment includes a discharge grille which has a plurality of grill guides formed obliquely in a forward direction toward the upper side and covers the discharge portion from the upper side.

Accordingly, since the air discharged from the discharge portion is guided the front upper side by the plurality of grill guides, it is possible to prevent the wall positioned behind the humidifying air purifier from becoming wet. In addition, it is possible to prevent foreign matter having a predetermined size or more from entering the discharge portion.

In addition, a recessed portion is positioned between a base and a lower end portion of a door assembly, and the intake is positioned on the upper side of the recessed portion, and may be formed on a bottom surface of the door assembly.

Accordingly, the outer appearance of the humidifying air purifier can be aesthetically improved since the intake is not visible to the user. In addition, the indoor air can be sucked smoothly into the cabinet through the recessed portion and the intake.

In detail, the humidifying air purifier according to the present embodiment may include a cabinet which includes a base, a pair of side panels which is provided on both sides of the base, and an upper panel and a rear panel which connect the pair of side panels, respectively.

In addition, the humidifying air purifier may further include a door assembly which is coupled to the cabinet in such a manner that it can be drawn out from the front of the cabinet and spaced upward with respect to the base.

In addition, the humidifying air purifier may further include a recessed portion which is positioned between a lower end of the door assembly and the base, and is defined as a space recessed toward the rear.

In addition, the humidifying air purifier may further include an intake which is formed on a lower surface of the door assembly, through which the air flows. The intake may communicate with the inner portion of the cabinet.

In addition, the door assembly may be provided with an air filter and a humidifying filter.

The interval L1 between the air filter and the humidifying filter may be larger than the interval L2 between the humidifying filter and the air blowing fan.

In addition, the height H1 of the door assembly from the door lower surface portion to the upper end of the air filter may be higher than the height H2 from the door lower surface portion to the upper end of the humidifying filter.

In addition, the humidifying filter may have a lower height than the air filter.

The height T1 from the door lower surface portion to the lower end of the air filter may be higher than the height T2 from the door lower surface portion to the lower end of the humidifying filter

In addition, the humidifying air purifier may further include a discharge portion which is positioned on the rear side of the upper panel and through which the air having passed through the humidifying filter is discharged.

In addition, the humidifying air purifier may further include a discharge grille which has a plurality of grill guides extending so as to be inclined forward toward the upper end, and covers the upper side of the discharge portion.

The plurality of grill guides can be spaced apart from each other in the front and rear direction and maintain a constant angle with respect to a virtual vertical line.

Accordingly, the air can always be discharged constantly forward and upward, and the wall positioned behind the humidifying air purifier can be prevented from being wetted.

In addition, the upper portion of the rear panel may be bent to form a forwardly extending upper surface. The discharge portion may form an opening, which is opened in the vertical direction, on the upper surface of the rear panel.

Accordingly, the discharge portion can be positioned behind the upper panel, and the upper surface of the rear panel can be easily connected to the upper panel.

In addition, a grill installing groove on which the discharge grille is seated may be formed on the upper surface of the rear panel. The discharge grill can be stably installed in the grill installing groove.

Meanwhile, the humidifying air purifier may further include a housing cover which is provided inside the cabinet and has an outer surface surrounding the air blowing fan.

The outer surface of the housing cover may include a guide plate which extends to guide the air passing through the air blowing fan upward in the radial direction and an extension plate which extends laterally along an upper end of the housing cover from an end portion of the guide plate.

A stepped rib for supporting the discharge grille may be formed on the extension plate.

In addition, the discharge portion may communicate with a discharge flow path formed by the guide plate.

In addition, the air blowing fan may include an impeller for sucking and discharging air.

The blade of the impeller may include a maximum camber point which is defined as a point on a negative pressure surface corresponding to a point having the maximum camber on the average camber line; and a reference point which is defined as another point on the negative pressure surface where the distance between the negative pressure surface and the pressure surface is maximum.

The negative pressure surface may include a linear surface which is formed as a flat surface from the maximum camber point to the leading edge.

The linear surface may include a first linear surface which is positioned between the reference point and the leading edge; and a second linear surface which is positioned between the reference point and the maximum camber point.

The angle between the first linear surface and the second linear surface may be an obtuse angle.

The distance DL between the leading edge and the reference point may be 0.21 to 0.27 times a chord length CL.

According to the above-described blade structure of the impeller, it is possible to reduce flow noise during driving of the air blowing fan.

In addition, the housing cover may further include a sensor bracket to which a plurality of sensor devices are mounted. The sensor bracket may be positioned in a recessed space formed by the outer surface of the housing cover.

Accordingly, the influence of the air flow on a plurality of sensors can be minimized.

The plurality of sensor devices may include at least one of a dust sensor, a gas sensor, and a humidity sensor.

In addition, the housing cover may include a guide plate which extends obliquely upward from a cutoff portion; and an extension plate which extends from the guide plate along the upper end of the housing cover.

Here, the guide plate and the extension plate may form a recessed space in which the sensor bracket is installed.

In addition, the inner surface of the cutoff portion may is formed as a curved surface provided so that a recessed surface and a protruding surface are repeated.

Meanwhile, in the humidifying air purifier according to the present embodiment, an opening portion including a discharge portion may be formed on an upper portion of the cabinet.

In the cabinet, a scroll housing having an air blowing fan may be installed.

The scroll housing may be positioned below the opening.

Accordingly, the humidifying air blown by the air blowing fan can be directed to the opening portion by minimizing the flow loss by the scroll housing. In other words, the efficiency of the air blowing fan can increase.

In addition, the second guide may be elongated in the vertical direction, and the third guide may be inclined in a direction away from the third guide toward the upper side.

The shortest distance between the upper end of the third guide and the side panel provided on one side of the cabinet may be longer than the shortest distance between the upper end of the second guide and the side panel installed on the other side of the cabinet.

Accordingly, the inclination of the third guide can be made closer to the vertical than the horizontal, and the air flow guided by the third guide can be prevented from being discharged nearly horizontally with respect to the left and right direction.

In detail, the humidifying air purifier according to the present embodiment may include a cabinet having a pair of side panels provided on both sides and an upper panel and a rear panel connecting the pair of side panels, respectively.

In addition, the humidifying air purifier according to the present embodiment may further include an opening portion formed on an upper portion of the cabinet.

In addition, the humidifying air purifier according to the present embodiment may further include a scroll housing disposed below the opening portion in the cabinet and including an air blowing fan.

The scroll housing may include a first guide formed to be rounded so as to surround a portion of the outer circumference of the air blowing fan.

In addition, the scroll housing may further include a second guide which is positioned near one side panel of the pair of side panels and extends upward at one end portion of the first guide.

In addition, the scroll housing may further include a third guide which is positioned near the other side panel of the pair of side panels and extends upward from the other end portion of the first guide.

The third guide may extend obliquely in a direction away from the second guide toward the upper portion from a cutoff portion formed at a portion connected to the first guide.

The distance between the upper end of the third guide and the other side panel may be longer than the distance between the upper end of the second guide and the one side panel.

In addition, the upper end of the third guide may be positioned to overlap with the first guide when viewed downward.

Accordingly, the inclination of the third guide can be made closer to perpendicular than horizontal. According to this, side-direction components of the air flow guided by the third guide can be prevented from being discharged nearly horizontally when passing through the discharge portion.

In addition, the upper portion of the rear panel may bend and extend forward to form an upper surface. Here, the opening portion may be defined as an opening, which opens in the vertical direction, on the upper surface of the rear panel.

In addition, the scroll housing may further include an extension plate horizontally extending from the upper end of the third guide toward the other side panel.

In addition, the opening portion may include a discharge portion communicating with the space between the second guide and the third guide downward; and a non-discharge portion facing downwardly to the extension plate.

Here, the area of the discharge portion may be wider than the area of the non-discharge portion.

In addition, a plurality of grill guides which extends to be inclined forward toward the upper portion may be installed in the opening portion.

In addition, a discharge grill which covers the upper side of the opening portion may be installed in the opening portion.

In addition, the plurality of grill guides may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the front and rear direction. The extending direction of the grill guide can maintain a constant angle with respect to a virtual vertical line.

In addition, some of the discharge grill cover the discharge portion, and another portion of the discharge grill may cover the non-discharge portion.

In addition, a stepped rib for supporting the discharge grille may be formed on the extension plate.

Meanwhile, the humidifying air purifier according to the present embodiment may include a scroll housing which extends from the upper end of the third guide in a direction away from the second guide and includes an extension plate positioned below the opening portion.

The third guide may be inclined so as to be close to vertical. Accordingly, the air flow guided by the third guide can reduce the flow component discharged in the side direction.

In detail, the humidifying air purifier according to the present embodiment may include a cabinet having an opening portion formed in an upper portion thereof, and a scroll housing disposed below the opening portion in the cabinet and having an air blowing fan therein. The scroll housing may include a first guide formed to be rounded so as to surround a portion of the outer periphery (or circumference) of the air blowing fan; a second guide extending from one end portion of the first guide toward the opening portion; a third guide extending from a cutoff portion formed at the other end portion of the first guide toward the opening portion and inclined in a direction away from the second guide as the third guide approaches the opening portion; and an extension plate horizontally extending from an upper end portion of the third guide in a direction away from the second guide and positioned below the opening portion.

In addition, the humidifying air purifier may further include a discharge grille in which a plurality of grill guides formed obliquely so that the upper ends thereof are inclined forward are provided and which covers the opening portion from the upper side.

The connecting portion (edge) of the third guide and the extension plate may be disposed to overlap with the first guide downward.

In another point of view, a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention can propose a structure for reducing internal noise.

The humidifying air purifier may include a door assembly coupled to the cabinet so as to be drawn out of the cabinet, a fan housing provided in the cabinet and coupled to the fan motor, and a housing cover coupled to a rear side of the fan housing and accommodates the air blowing fan coupled with the fan motor.

The housing cover may include a cover plate provided in one surface of the rear of thereof, and a guide plate extending forward along a side end of the cover plate and defining a discharge flow path through which the air having passed through the air blowing fan flows.

The guide plate may include a first guide extending along a rotating direction of the air blowing fan so as to be away from the air blowing fan.

In addition, the guide plate may further include a second guide extending upward from the first guide; and a third guide positioned on the opposite side of the second guide and extending upwardly from the first guide so as to be inclined.

In addition, the guide plate may include a cutoff portion positioned between the first guide and the third guide, and the cutoff portion may be formed to protrude toward the discharge flow path.

In addition, the minimum distance g between the cutoff portion and the impeller provided in the air blowing fan may be 8% or more and 10% or less of the diameter G of the impeller.

The cutoff portion may be formed to be rounded with respect to a first direction defined as a direction connecting the first guide and the third guide, and may be at least partly formed to be rounded with respect to a second direction defined as a direction connecting the front end and the rear end of the cutoff portion.

In addition, the discharge flow path may include a first discharge flow path formed along the first guide, and a second discharge flow path formed between the second guide and the third guide.

According to the above-described configuration, the noise generated when a portion of the air flowing from the first discharge flow passage to the second discharge flow passage strikes the end portion of the cutoff portion can be reduced.

The humidifying air purifier according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following effects.

First, the humidifying air discharged from the discharge portion by the discharge grille can be discharged to the front upper side. As a result, the wall positioned behind the humidifying air purifier can be prevented from being wet, and molds due to moisture can be prevented from being generated on the wall.

In addition, the plurality of grill guides of the discharge grille are spaced apart from each other in the front and rear direction and are maintained at a constant angle with respect to a virtual vertical line so that the humidified air discharged from the discharge port can always be maintained to be discharged to the front upper side. In addition, it is possible to prevent foreign matters having a predetermined size or more or the user's body from entering the discharge portion.

In addition, since the extension plate is horizontally extended at the upper end portion of the third guide, the inclination of the third guide can be formed to be steeper than in a case where the extension plate is not formed. Thus, the air guided by the third guide formed obliquely in the left and right direction to form the scroll flow path can be discharged nearly perpendicular to the left and right directions. Therefore, in a case where the humidifying air purifier is used by being placed next to the bed, there is an advantage that the humidifying air discharged from the discharge portion is not directly directed to the user's head or face, and the user does not feel uncomfortable.

In addition, the horizontal distance between the upper end portion of the third guide and the side panel which is adjacent thereto may be longer than the horizontal distance between the upper end portion of the second guide and the side panel which is adjacent thereto. As a result, space can be secured in which the extension plate is positioned between the pair of side panels.

In addition, the upper end portion of the third guide may overlap with the first guide in the vertical direction. As a result, as compared with a case where the upper end portion of the third guide is formed on the outer side of the first guide, the extension plate extending from the upper end portion of the third guide can be formed sufficiently long.

In addition, the opening portion may include not only a discharge portion directed toward the inner portion of the scroll housing in the vertical direction but also a non-discharge portion directed toward the extension plate in the vertical direction. Thereby, since the opening portion is not formed to be deflected to one side with respect to the left and right direction, the outer appearance of the humidifying air purifier can be aesthetically improved.

In addition, the humidifying air can be spread and flow from the discharge port of the scroll housing to the discharge portion. Therefore, there is an advantage that a portion of the humidifying air can be smoothly discharged through the opening portion without being clogged, as compared with a case where the opening portion is constituted by only the discharge portion directed to the inner portion of the scroll housing in the vertical direction.

The area of the discharge portion may be wider than the area of the non-discharge portion. As a result, the humidifying air can be smoothly discharged.

In addition, some of the discharge grilles may cover the discharge portion and others of the discharge grilles may cover the non-discharge portion. As a result, the outer appearance of the humidifying air purifier can be aesthetically improved because the discharge grille covers the non-discharge portion.

In addition, the extension plate is provided with a stepped rib for supporting the discharge grille, so that the discharge grille can be more stably supported.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view a state where a door of a humidifying air purifier is opened according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a portion of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a configuration of a bottom surface of a water container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state where an air filter and a water container are disposed in a door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state where a filter disposed in a door according to an embodiment of the present invention is separated.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a door assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a door assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an inner portion of a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a housing assembly and the peripheral configuration thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a fan housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of an air blowing fan and a housing cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of “A” of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a configuration of a portion of a housing cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B are graphs illustrating an experiment to compare the flow of discharged air according to the presence or absence of an extension plate of the humidifying air purifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an impeller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating the shape of a blade of an impeller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20A is a diagram illustrating the shape of a blade of an impeller in the related art as a comparative example.

FIG. 20B is a view illustrating the shape of a blade according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a graph illustrating a noise change according to air volume of an impeller in the related art and an impeller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a graph illustrating noise according to air volume of a blade according to an embodiment of the present invention according to a predetermined angle TH.

FIG. 23 is a graph illustrating noise according to air volume according to a set length DL of a blade according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a rear configuration of a housing cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating a sensor mounted on a housing cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a configuration of a dust sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view illustrating a rear panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of a rear panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating a state where a discharge grille is removed from an upper surface portion of a rear panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is an enlarged view illustrating a configuration of a portion of a rear panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31A and FIG. 31B are graphs illustrating an experiment to compare discharged air flows according to the inclination of a grill guide of a discharge grill according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view illustrating air flow in a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a portion of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a schematic view illustrating air flow in a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a front view illustrating a housing cover according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is an enlarged view of a cutoff of the housing cover illustrated in FIG. 35.

FIG. 37A is a perspective view illustrating a housing cover in the related art as a comparative example.

FIG. 37B is a perspective view illustrating a housing cover according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38A is a view illustrating an outline of a cutoff of a housing cover in the related art as a comparative example.

FIG. 38B is a view illustrating an outline of a cutoff of a housing cover according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a graph illustrating changes in noise according to air volume of an air blowing fan installed in a housing cover in the related art and an air blowing fan installed in a housing cover according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40A is a graph illustrating changes in noise according to an operation frequency of an air blowing fan installed in a housing cover in the related art as a comparative example.

FIG. 40B is a graph illustrating changes in noise according to an operation frequency of an air blowing fan installed in a housing cover according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41A is a view illustrating an outline of a cutoff of a housing cover in the related art as a comparative example.

FIG. 41B to FIG. 41D are diagrams illustrating an outline of a cutoff of a housing cover according to another embodiment of the present invention, according to the position of an inflection point.

FIG. 42 is a graph illustrating changes in noise according to the air volume of an air blowing fan installed in each housing cover illustrated in FIG. 41A to FIG. 41D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is illustrated by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Also, in the description of embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components of the present invention. Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order or sequence of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other component(s).

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a state where a door of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention is opened.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the humidifying air purifier 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 100 forming an outer appearance and a door assembly 200 coupled to the cabinet 100 and configured and supported to be selectively drawn out from the cabinet and drawn into the cabinet.

The cabinet 100 includes a panel assembly composed of a plurality of panels.

In detail, the plurality of panels includes a lower first base 101, two side panels 103 provided on both sides of the first base 101 and extending upward, an upper panel 105 coupled to an upper side of the both side panels 103, and a rear panel 107 coupled to a rear side of the both side panels 103.

By the first base 101, the two side panels 103, the upper panel 105, and the rear panel 107, the cabinet 100 can have a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped which is opened frontward.

The plurality of panels may be made of wood material. Therefore, the humidifying air purifier 10 can give an aesthetical feel of the furniture. In other words, the appearance can be enhanced.

An air filter assembly 280, a humidifying filter assembly 300, and an air blowing fan 480 (see FIG. 6) may be disposed in the internal space of the cabinet 100.

The air filter assembly 280 and the humidifying filter assembly 300 may be collectively referred to as “filter assembly”.

The door assembly 200 may be opened by being drawn out to the front side of the cabinet 100 or closed by being drawn in toward the rear side of the cabinet 100. The door assembly 200 includes a door panel 210 constituting a front surface portion of the air purifier 10. The door panel 210 may be referred to as “a front panel”.

The door panel 210 may be positioned on one surface of the cabinet 100. For example, the door panel 210 may be positioned at a front surface opening of the cabinet 100. Therefore, the door panel 210 may form a front surface of the cabinet 100. Accordingly, the door panel 210 and the cabinet 100 can provide a sense of unity to the user.

A recessed portion 30 may be formed between the lower end of the door panel 210 and the first base 101 to form a space recessed rearward.

An intake 225 for sucking air into the cabinet 100 may be formed on the recessed portion 30.

In the upper panel 105 of the cabinet 100, a discharge portion 109 through which is filtered and humidified air is discharged is formed. The discharge portion 109 may be positioned on the rear side of the upper panel 105. In other words, the discharge portion 109 may be positioned at the rear upper portion of the humidifying air purifier 10.

The door assembly 200 further includes a drawer 220 extending rearward from a rear surface of the door panel 210.

Cleaning components of the humidifying air purifier 10 are installed in the drawer 220. The cleaning component may include an air filter assembly 280 and a humidifying device. The humidifying device may include a humidifying filter assembly 300, a water tub 260, and a water container 270.

When the door assembly 200 is drawn out to the front side to open the front surface of the cabinet 100, the air filter assembly 280, the humidifying filter assembly 300, and the water container 270 disposed in the drawer 220 can be drawn out forward together. Accordingly, the user can easily access the air filter assembly 280, the humidifying filter assembly 300, and the water container 270.

The drawer 220 may be coupled to the cabinet 100 and configured and supported so as to be selectively drawn out from the cabinet or drawn into the cabinet. Accordingly, the drawer 220 may be referred to as “door” or “accommodation portion”.

The door assembly 200 further includes rail guides 230 for guiding the operation of drawing the door assembly 200 out or into. The rail guides 230 may be coupled to both sides of the lower portion of the drawer 220.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a portion of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a configuration of a bottom surface of a water container according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI′ of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, a humidifying air purifier 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an air filter assembly 280 for filtering air, a humidifying filter assembly 300 for humidifying air, and an air blowing fan 480 for generating an air flow. A fan motor 483 is coupled to the air blowing fan 480.

In detail, the cabinet 100 includes a body frame 110 forming a space portion 112 in which components of an air purifier are disposed.

The body frame 110 may have a hexahedron shape in which front, rear, and upper surfaces are opened. In detail, the front surface of the body frame 110 is opened, and the opened front surface can be shielded by the door assembly 200. In addition, the rear surface of the body frame 110 is opened, and the opened rear surface can be shielded by a fan housing 410 and a housing cover 430. In addition, the upper surface of the body frame 110 is opened, and the opened upper surface may be shielded by an electric unit 450.

The two side panels 103 are coupled to both sides of the body frame 110. The upper panel 105 is coupled to the upper side of the electric portion 450 and the rear panel 107 is coupled to the rear side of the housing cover 430.

The door assembly 200 includes a door panel 210 forming an outer appearance of a front surface and a drawer 220 extending to the rear side of the door panel 210.

The drawer 220 includes a door front surface 221 coupled to a rear surface of the door panel 210. The door panel 210 and the door surface 221 may be collectively referred to as “door front surface portion”.

The drawer 220 includes a door side surface portion 222 extending rearward from both sides of the door front surface portion 221, a door lower surface portion 224 provided below the door side surface portion 222, and a door rear surface portion 223 (see FIG. 7) extending upward from the rear side of the door lower surface portion 224. An installing space in which a water tub 260, a water container 270, an air filter assembly 280, and the humidifying filter assembly 300 are installed can be defined in the drawer 220 by the door front surface portion 221, the door lower surface portion 224, the door side surface portion 222, and the door rear surface portion 223.

The air filter assembly 280 may be installed at a front portion of the drawer 220. The air filter assembly 280 may include an air filter case 281 and an air filter 285 coupled to the air filter case 281. The air filter assembly 280 may be disposed to be lifted upward and separated.

A water container 270 may be disposed at a substantially central portion of the drawer 220, that is, on the rear side of the air filter assembly 280, with respect to the front and rear direction.

The water container 270 may be installed inside the water tub 260. The water container 270 can be arranged to be lifted upward and separated from the water tub 260 and the user can separate the water container 270 to replenish water or clean the water container 270.

A valve hole 275 a for discharging water is formed in the bottom surface portion 275 of the water container 270 and a float device 276 for selectively opening and closing the valve hole 275 a is formed in the valve hole 275 a can be installed. The float device 276 can be operated so as to open the valve hole 275 a when the float device 276 is placed on a valve support (not illustrated) provided in the water tub 260 and to close the valve hole 275 a when separated from the valve support.

The water tub 260 may have a substantially hexahedral shape with an opened upper portion. The water container support portion 261 for supporting the water container 270 is included in the lower portion of the water tub 260. The water container support portion 261 forms a flat surface.

The water tub 260 further includes a float accommodating portion 262 protruding downward from the water container support portion 261 and having a space in which the float device 276 is installed. The float accommodating portion 262 may have a hollow shape with an empty interior, and for example, the float accommodating portion 262 may be positioned at a substantially central portion of the water container support portion 261.

The float accommodating portion 262 forms a first water storage portion 229 a in which water is stored and the float device 276 can be provided to be moved in the up and down direction according to the water level stored in the first water storage portion 229 a. At this time, when the water level of the first water storage portion 229 a becomes equal to or higher than the set water level, the float device 276 can move upward to close the valve hole 275 a of the water container 270.

A second water storage portion 229 b extending rearward from the float accommodating portion 262 and storing water may be formed in the water tub 260. The second water storage portion 229 b communicates with the first water storage portion and may form the same water level as the first water storage portion.

The humidifying filter assembly 300 may be installed in the second water storage portion 229 b. The humidifying filter assembly 300 may be accommodated in a rear portion of the inner space of the drawer 220. The humidifying filter assembly 300 may be disposed on the rear side of the water container 270.

The lower portion of the humidifying filter 330 included in the humidifying filter assembly 300 may be disposed to be submerged in the second water storage portion 229.

The humidifying filter 330 has a substantially circular shape and the outer portion of the humidifying filter 330 includes a lifter 332 (see FIG. 7) having a structure capable of holding water. A plurality of the lifters 332 may be provided. For example, the humidifying filter 330 may have a structure similar to that of “waterwheel”.

The humidifying filter 330 is rotatably provided. Water collected by the lifter 332 moves upward, and when the lifter 332 descends from the uppermost end of the humidifying filter 330, the water flows to the central portion of the humidifying filter 330 by gravity. The humidifying filter 330 may be made of cloth, felt, or sponge material which is easy to absorb water.

The lifter 332 can collect water by rotation. Thus, the lifter 332 may be referred to as a collecting portion.

A sterilizing device 269 for irradiating light toward the inside of the water tub 260 may be disposed on the rear side of the water tub 260 so as to sterilize the water stored in the water tub 260. For example, the sterilizing device 269 may include an ultraviolet LED.

A humidifying filter assembly 300 may be disposed at a rear portion of the drawer 220, that is, at a rear side of the water container 270. The humidifying filter assembly 300 includes a humidifying filter case 310 and a humidifying filter 330 rotatably supported by the humidifying filter case 310 and absorbing water stored in the water tub 260.

The humidifying air purifier 10 further includes a housing assembly 400 disposed inside the cabinet 100. The housing assembly 400 is provided with an air blowing fan 480 for generating an air flow, a fan housing 410 having a fan intake 415 disposed in front of the air blowing fan 480 and sucking air therein, and a housing cover 430 coupled to the rear side of the fan housing 410.

The air blowing fan 480 may be installed in a fan installing space SP (see FIG. 16) defined by the fan housing 410 and the housing cover 430.

The housing assembly 400 may be disposed on the rear side of the door assembly 200.

The air blowing fan 480 includes a centrifugal fan which sucks air in an axial direction and discharges the air in a radial direction. For example, the centrifugal fan may include a sirocco fan. The axial direction of the air blowing fan 480 may be a front and rear direction.

The fan housing 410 includes a fan intake 415 (see FIG. 11). The fan intake 415 may include an intake guide rib extending radially or circumferentially. By the suction guide rib, the user's hand can be prevented from being introduced into the air blowing fan 480.

The humidifying air purifier 10 further includes an electric unit 450 having a plurality of electric components. The electric unit 450 further includes an electric plate 451 covering the opened upper portion of the body frame 110 and the electric component 453 may be installed on the upper surface of the electric component plate 451.

In addition, the electric portion 450 may further include an electric cover 455 for shielding at least a portion of the plurality of electrical components 453.

The electric plate 451 may extend forward from the upper portion of the housing assembly 400. The upper panel 105 is coupled to the upper side of the electric plate 451 to protect the electric component 453.

Inside the body frame 110, a sliding rail 235 may be installed to guide the operation of drawing the door assembly 200 out and into.

The sliding rails 235 may be disposed on both sides of the lower portion of the body frame 110. The rail guide 230 which is provided in the door assembly 200 can be slid along the sliding rail 235 in the front and rear direction.

A rail cover 236 is disposed outside the sliding rail 235. By the rail cover 236, the sliding rail 235 may not be exposed to the outside.

In other words, the rail cover 236 can cover the sliding rail 235 so that the sliding rail 235 is not exposed to the space portion 112.

The body frame 110 further includes an illumination bracket 116 on which an illumination device is installed. The illumination bracket 116 may be disposed on the upper side of the base 101 of the cabinet 100. The recessed portion 30 may be understood as a space between the base 101 and the illumination bracket 116.

The illumination device includes an illumination PCB 122 having an illumination source and an illumination case 124 coupled to the illumination PCB 122. A plurality of the illumination sources may be provided.

The illumination case 124 includes dividing ribs for dividing an internal space of the illumination case 124 into a plurality of spaces, and illumination sources may be disposed in the plurality of spaces, respectively.

A reflection plate 120 may be provided on the upper surface of the base 101. The reflection plate 120 may be provided to gently reflect or diffuse the light emitted from the illumination source. The illumination source is disposed on the upper side of the reflection plate 120 and irradiates light toward the reflection plate 120 downward. The recessed portion 30 may be formed between the illumination source and the reflection plate 120.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state where an air filter and a water container are disposed in a door according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state where a filter disposed in a door according to an embodiment of the present invention is separated, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a door assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a plan view of a door assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an inner portion of a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 to FIG. 11, the door assembly 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a drawer 220 coupled to a rear surface of the door panel 210.

The drawer 220 may be provided to be drawn out forward and drawn into rearward and may be provided as a drawer shape.

The drawer 220 may include an air filter assembly 280, a humidifying filter assembly 300, a water container 270, and a water tub 260.

The drawer 220 includes a door front surface portion 221 constituting the front surface of the drawer 220, and a door lower surface portion 224 constituting the bottom surface of the drawer 220, a door side surface portion 222 extending upward from both sides of the door lower surface portion 224, and a door rear surface portion 223 provided at the rear side of the door side surface portion 222.

The door lower surface portion 224 is formed with an intake 225 through which air is sucked. The intake 225 may be positioned at a rear side of the door front surface portion 221 and be formed by penetrating at least a portion of the door lower surface portion 224. The air outside the humidifying air purifier 10 is sucked into the intake 225 via the recessed portion 30. In addition, the sucked air can flow upward.

The door lower surface portion 224 includes an air filter seating portion 226 on which the air filter assembly 280 is seated. The air filter seating portion 226 is positioned on the rear side of the intake 225 and constitutes a flat surface for seating the bottom surface of the air filter assembly 280.

The door side surface portion 222 includes a filter guide 225 a for supporting a side surface portion of the air filter assembly 280. The filter guide 225 a may extend upward from both sides of the air filter seating portion 226 and may extend obliquely forward from the lower portion toward the upper portion. Accordingly, the air filter assembly 280 may be disposed obliquely forward and obliquely in a state of being seated in the filter seating portion 226, so that the user lifts the air filter assembly 280 upward, and thus the air filter assembly 280 can be easily separated from the drawer 220.

The door side surface portion 222 further includes a filter support 225 b extending in the left and right direction from the filter guide 225 a and supporting a portion of the front surface portion of the air filter assembly 280. The filter support 225 b may function as “support jaw” which supports the air filter assembly 280 so as not to fall forward in a state where the air filter assembly 280 is disposed so as to be inclined.

The filter support 225 b may be stepped inward with respect to the inner surface of the filter guide 225 a.

The door lower surface portion 224 further includes a water tub seating portion 227 on which the water tub 260 is placed. The water tub seating portion 227 may be disposed at a position lower than the air filter seating portion 226.

In the door rear surface portion 223, a through-hole 228 through which the sterilizing device 269 is disposed is formed. For example, the sterilizing device 269 may be disposed inside the through-hole 228 or may be disposed at a rear side of the through-hole 228.

The light irradiated from the sterilizing device 269 may be transmitted to the water tub 260 via the through-hole 228 to sterilize the stored water.

A water container 270 is disposed above the water tub 260. The water container 270 includes a water container main body for storing water and a water container cover detachably coupled to the upper side of the water container main body. The user can separate the water container cover and replenish water inside the water container main body.

When the water container 270 is placed in the water tub 260, the float device 276 of the water container 270 is opened so that the water stored in the water container 270 flows into a water storage portion of the water tub 260.

In the water tub 260, the humidifying filter assembly 300 may be installed. The humidifying filter assembly 300 may be disposed on the rear side of the water container 270 and the lower portion of the humidifying filter assembly 300 may be disposed so as to be submerged into the second water storage portion 229.

The humidifying filter assembly 300 includes a humidifying filter case 310 having a shaft support 315 and a humidifying filter 330 having a central shaft 335 supported by the shaft support 315. The central shaft 335 of the humidifying filter 330 may be rotated in a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction in a state of being supported by the shaft support 315.

The humidifying filter 330 includes a lifter 332 for scooping up water stored in the second water storage portion 229 of the water tub 260. The water scooped up from the lifter 332 may be moved upward in a process in which the lifter 332 rotates and flow downward into the humidifying filter 330 when moving downward. The water flowing downward into the humidifying filter 330 may permeate the humidifying filter 330.

The humidifying air purifier 10 further includes a driving motor 353 (see FIG. 6) and a driving gear 355 coupled to the driving motor 353 and rotated as a driving device for rotating the humidifying filter 330. The driving motor 353 and the driving gear 355 may be installed in the fan housing 410.

The humidifying filter 330 includes a filter gear 338 interlocked with the driving gear 355. The filter gear 338 is provided on the outer surface of the humidifying filter 330 and the teeth of the filter gear 338 can be engaged with the teeth of the driving gear 355. When the driving motor 353 is driven, the filter gear 338 can rotate in the clockwise direction or the counter-clockwise direction by being interlocked with the driving gear 355.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a housing assembly and the peripheral configuration thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a fan housing according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of an air blowing fan and a housing cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The fan housing 410 includes a housing plate 411 for shielding the rear of the body frame 110.

The housing plate 411 is coupled to the body frame 110 to shield the opened rear end portion of the body frame 110.

The housing plate 411 is formed with a fan intake 415 through which air is sucked. The fan intake 415 may include an intake guide rib extending radially or circumferentially. For example, the fan intake 415 may be positioned at the center of the housing plate 411.

Air in the body frame 110 may flow toward the housing cover 430 through the fan intake 415.

An electric plate 451 on which a plurality of electric components are installed may be coupled to the upper portion of the housing plate 411.

The electric plate 451 may be integrally formed with the housing plate 411. For example, the electric plate 451 and the housing plate 411 may be formed in a “−1” shape.

The housing plate 411 may be coupled to the housing cover 430 at the rear. The combination of the housing plate 411 and the housing cover 430 can guide the flow direction of the air forced by the air blowing fan 480.

The fan housing 410 further includes a mounting rib 413 on which a fan motor 483 to be described below is mounted.

The mounting rib 413 extends rearward from the rear surface of the housing plate 411. For example, the mounting rib 413 may be formed at the central portion of the fan intake 415. The mounting ribs 413 are formed to have a hollow cylindrical shape with respect to the central portion of the fan intake 415.

In other words, the mounting rib 413 may be formed to protrude in a circular shape on the rear surface of the housing plate 411.

The mounting rib 413 can form a fan motor installing space 413 a in which a fan motor 483 is accommodated. The impeller 485 of the air blowing fan 480 may be positioned outside the mounting ribs 413.

The fan housing 410 further includes a restricting rib 417 for guiding the engagement of the housing cover 430. The restricting ribs 417 may form a space or a groove so that the front surface of the housing cover 430 closely contacts the rear surface of the housing plate 411.

The restricting ribs 417 guide the housing cover 430 so that the housing cover 430 can be accurately coupled to a designated position on the rear surface of the fan housing 410. For example, the front ends of the outer surfaces 432, 433, and 434 of the housing cover 430 may be inserted or fixed to the restricting ribs 417. Therefore, it is possible to guide the flow of air to the internal space formed by the housing cover 430 and the fan housing 410.

In other words, the front surface of the housing cover 430 may be in close contact with the rear surface of the housing plate 411.

An internal space may be formed between the fan housing 410 and the housing cover 430. In the internal space, a flow path of air passing through the air blowing fan 480 may be formed.

The restricting ribs 417 may protrude from the rear surface of the housing plate 411. The restricting ribs 417 may extend to correspond to the front end of the housing cover 430.

For example, the restricting rib 417 may have an open curve shape. For example, the restricting ribs 417 may be rounded in a belt-like shape of an open curve in the rear surface of the housing plate 411.

Meanwhile, the air blowing fan 480 may include an impeller 485 for sucking and discharging air.

The impeller 485 may be rotatably mounted within the housing cover 430 by receiving the rotational force of the fan motor 483.

In detail, a mounting hole 487 may be formed in the hub 486 of the impeller 485. The mounting hole 487 may be provided with a locking portion 481 to which the rotation shaft of the fan motor 483 is connected. Therefore, the impeller 485 can rotate together with the locking portion 481. Of course, the locking portion 481 may be formed integrally with the hub 486 of the impeller 485.

In addition, the air blowing fan 480 may further include a fan motor 483 for generating power and a motor cover 482 for mounting the fan motor 483 on the mounting ribs 413.

The fan motor 483 can be accommodated and fixed in the fan motor installing space 413 a of the mounting rib 413. The rotation shaft of the fan motor 483 is connected to the locking portion 481 to transmit rotational force to the impeller 485.

In the central portion of the motor cover 482, an opening through which the rotation shaft of the fan motor 483 passes and which is connected to the locking portion 481 is formed. In other words, the motor cover 482 may be positioned between the fan motor 483 and the locking portion 481.

The housing cover 430 includes a cover plate 431 and guide plates 432, 433, and 434 that form a space for accommodating the air blowing fan 480.

The cover plate 431 can be understood as a rear surface of the housing cover 430 and the guide plates 432, 433 and 434 can be understood as an outer surface or a side surface of the housing cover 430.

In other words, the cover plate 431 is provided to constitute a rear surface of the housing cover.

The guide plates 432, 433, and 434 may be referred to as guide walls because the guide plates 432, 433, and 434 guide the flow direction of air passing through the air blowing fan 480.

The cover plate 431 is spaced apart from the rear of the fan housing 410.

The guide plates 432, 433, and 434 may extend toward the fan housing 410 on the front surface of the cover plate 431. Accordingly, the cover plate 431 and the guide plates 432, 433, and 434 form a space in which the air blowing fan 480 is accommodated.

The guide plates 432, 433, and 434 may extend to guide the air passing through the air blowing fan 480 upward in the radial direction.

In detail, the guide plates 432, 433, and 434 may extend forward along the periphery of the outer end portion of the cover plate 431. For example, the guide plates 432, 433, and 434 may extend vertically along the edges of the cover plate 431.

Accordingly, the guide plates 432, 433, and 434 can contact the rear surface of the fan housing 410. For example, the front ends of the guide plates 432, 433, and 434 may be in contact with or inserted into the restricting ribs 417 of the housing plate 411.

As a result, the fan housing 410, the cover plate 431 and the guide plates 432, 433 and 434 can guide the flow of air forced by the air blowing fan 480. The flow of air forced by the air blowing fan 480 may form a scroll flow path.

Accordingly, the fan housing 410 and the housing cover 430 can be collectively referred to as “scroll housing”. In other words, the air blowing fan 480 may be disposed inside the scroll housings 410 and 430.

The housing assembly 400 including the fan housing 410, the housing cover 430, and the air blowing fan 480 may be referred to as “air blowing device”.

Here, the air flow path introduced to the air blowing fan 480 through the fan intake 415 of the housing plate 411 may be called “intake flow path”. The air flow path which is discharged from the air blowing fan 480 and flows to the discharge portion 109 may be called “discharge flow path”.

The discharge flow path is divided by a first discharge flow path 430 a which flows along the guide of the first guide 432 to be described below and a second discharge flow path 430 b which flows to an open end portion 431 a along the guide of the second guide 433.

The cover plate 431 and the guide plates 432, 433, and 434 may define openings along the upper end thereof such that air flowing along the discharge flow paths 430 a and 430 b is directed to the discharge portion 109.

In other words, an open end portion 431 a may be formed at the upper end of the cover plate 431. In addition, the open end portion 431 a may be understood as an edge forming the opening. The discharge portion 109 may cover the upper side of the open end portion 431 a.

Accordingly, air radially discharged from the air blowing fan 480 can flow to the upper portion of the housing cover 430, that is, the open end portion 431 a. The air that has flowed to the upper portion of the housing cover 430 is discharged to the outside through the discharge portion 109.

Here, the opening formed by the open end portion 431 a, the upper end of the second guide 433, the upper end of the third guide 434, and the upper end of the housing plate 411 may be defined as a discharge port.

In other words, the discharge port is positioned downstream of the second discharge flow path 430 b and can be understood as an opening for guiding air to be discharged to the discharge portion 109.

The guide plates 432, 433, and 434 may extend in a shape corresponding to the restricting ribs 417. For example, the guide plates 432, 433, and 434 may extend roundly from one side upper end of the cover plate 431 to the other side upper end.

In other words, the guide plates 432, 433, and 434 may have a generally open curve shape corresponding to the restricting ribs 417.

In detail, the guide plates 432, 433, and 434 may include a first guide 432, a second guide 433, and a third guide 434.

Meanwhile, the first guide 432 guides the air discharged from the air blowing fan 480 upward, so that the first guide 432 can be referred to as “flow guide wall”. In addition, the second guide 433 extends from the flow guide wall and can therefore be referred to as “extension guide wall”. Since the third guide 434 guides the air toward the discharge portion 109, the third guide 434 can be referred to as “discharge guide wall”.

The second guide 433 may extend downward from the upper end of one side of the cover plate 431 to the first point. For example, the second guide 433 may extend downward along one side edge of the cover plate 431.

Here, the first point may be positioned at one side of the cover plate 431. In more detail, the first point can be defined as a point positioned on a virtual extension line which is rotated by a predetermined first angle θ (See FIG. 16) along the air flow direction F from the vertical reference line D about a reference point (0) to be described below. For example, the first angle θ may be set to 270°.

The second guide 433 may extend upward from an upper end of one side of the first guide 432. In other words, the second guide may extend upward at the first point.

The second guide 433 may be positioned close to any one of the pair of side panels 103 (see FIG. 3). For example, the second guide 433 may be adjacent to the left side panel.

The first guide 432 may extend roundly so as to surround the outer periphery of the air blowing fan 480.

In detail, the first guide 432 may extend to be rounded from the first point to the second point (cutoff portion) 435.

The second point may be positioned above the first point. In addition, the second point can be understood as a point where the cutoff portion 435 is formed.

Here, the second point can be defined as a point which is positioned on a virtual extension line which is rotated by a second predetermined angle along the air flow direction F from the vertical reference line D about the reference point O. For example, the second angle may be set to an angle within the range of 0° to 20°.

In other words, the first guide 432 may extend in a direction of drawing an arc from the lower end of the second guide 433 to the cutoff portion 435 about the reference point.

The third guide 434 may extend from the first guide 432 on the opposite side of the second guide 433.

The third guide 434 may extend from the cutoff portion 435 formed at the upper end of the other end of the first guide 432. In other words, the third guide 434 may extend obliquely away from the second guide 433 upward at the second point.

The third guide 434 may be positioned close to the other side panel of the pair of side panels 103 (see FIG. 3). In one example, the third guide 434 may be adjacent the right side panel.

The third guide 434 may extend from the second point 435 to the upper end of the other end of the cover plate 431. Here, the third guide 434 may extend diagonally to extend toward the downstream of the second discharge flow path 430 b.

In other words, the third guide 434 may extend from the upper end of the first guide 432 to an extension plate 436, which will be described below.

In detail, the third guide 434 may extend from the cutoff portion 435 to the end portion of one side of the extension plate 436.

The rear end portion 432 a (see FIG. 16) of the first guide 432 may be connected to the rear end portion 434 a of the third guide 434. The front end portion 432 b (see FIG. 16) of the first guide 432 may be connected to the front end portion 434 b of the third guide 434.

The third guide 434 may be formed such that the inner surface thereof is inclined. Here, the inner surface of the third guide 434 can be understood as a surface facing the second discharge flow path 430 b.

In other words, the rear end portion 434 a of the third guide 434 may be positioned inside the front end portion 434 b of the third guide 434.

Accordingly, the inner surface of the third guide 434 extending from the rear end portion 434 a of the third guide 434 to the front end portion 434 b of the third guide 434 can be formed as an inclined surface.

Meanwhile, the inclined surface of the third guide 434 may extend perpendicularly to the cover plate 431 at a point where the inclined surface of the third guide 434 is connected to the extension plate 436.

In other words, the rear end portion 434 a of the third guide 434 has a circular arc larger than the front end portion 434 b of the third guide 434 along the extending direction of the third guide 434. In other words, the rear end portion of the third guide may be longer than the front end portion of the third guide (see FIG. 15).

The extension plate 436 may extend laterally from the upper end of the third guide 434. Here, the side can be understood as a direction away from the second guide 433.

For example, the distance from the upper end of the third guide 434 to the other side panel (right side panel 103) may be larger than the distance from the upper end of the second guide 433 to the one side panel (left side panel 103).

In addition, when the upper end of the third guide 434 is viewed downward, the upper end of the third guide 434 and the first guide 432 may be disposed so as to overlap with each other. In other words, the upper end of the third guide 434 may be spaced upward from the first guide 432.

A cutoff portion 435 may be formed in the guide plates 432, 433, and 434.

The cutoff portion 435 may be formed such that the first guide 432 and the third guide 434 are roundly connected.

The cutoff portion 435 may include the second point described above as a portion where the first guide 432 and the third guide 434 abut.

The cutoff portion 435 can be understood as a reference for distinguishing the first discharge flow path 430 a and the second discharge flow path 430 b. Here, the division of the flow path is an arbitrary division for convenience of description, not a physical division.

Meanwhile, a portion of the air flowing into the second discharge flow path 430 b may flow again into the first discharge flow path 430 a while colliding with the cutoff portion 435. Noise may be generated during the collision and re-inflow.

In this regard, a detailed description with respect to the cutoff portion 435 will be described below with reference to FIG. 15.

Meanwhile, the guide plates 432, 433, and 434 may be formed such that the sectional area of the air flow path formed inside the housing cover 430 increases upward. In detail, the width W of the discharge flow paths 430 a and 430 b may gradually increase from the cutoff portion 435 along the air flow direction F.

The width W of the discharge flow paths 430 a and 430 b may be defined as a distance from the rotation axis S of the impeller 485 to the inner surfaces of the guide plates 432, 433, and 434. In detail, the width W of the discharge flow paths 430 a and 430 b may be defined as a distance between the guide plates 432 and 433 and the rotation axis S in the radial direction of the impeller 485.

In other words, the width W of the discharge flow path may increase from the cutoff portion 435 toward the open end portion 431 a along the flow direction F of the air. For example, the distance W1 between the cutoff portion 435 and the outer surface of the impeller 485 in the radial distance W1 about the reference point O is smaller than the distance W2 in the radial direction of the other one existing along the air flow direction.

Accordingly, the flow sectional area of the discharge flow path may gradually increase from the cutoff portion 435 along the air flow direction F. Accordingly, the flow resistance of the air passing through the air blowing fan 480 is reduced, and the noise generated from the upper fan 130 can be reduced.

Meanwhile, the housing cover 430 further includes a coupling bracket 438 coupled to the rear panel 107.

The coupling bracket 438 may be provided on both sides and the upper portion of the housing cover 430. In other words, the coupling bracket 438 may be provided on the outer surface of the guide plates 432, 433, and 434.

The coupling bracket 438 may include a coupling portion 438 a (see FIG. 25) to which the coupling member is coupled. The fastening member may be coupled to the rear panel 107 through the fastening portion 438 a.

Meanwhile, the housing cover 430 further includes a sensor bracket 440 on which a plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560 are mounted. The sensor bracket 440 may be coupled to the outer surfaces of the guide plates 432, 433, and 434.

In other words, the sensor bracket 440 may be installed in a space in the housing cover 430 where the flow of air, that is, the intake or discharge of air, is not performed. For example, the sensor bracket 440 may be connected to the lower surface of the extension plate 436 and the outer surface of the first guide 432 such that an opening is formed in the outer direction of the cutoff portion 435.

A through-hole 446 may be formed between the sensor bracket 440 and the guide plates 432 and 434.

A wire connected to a plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560 mounted on the sensor bracket 440 may be positioned in the through-hole 446. In other words, the through-hole 446 may be referred to as a wire connector.

The sensor bracket 440 includes a bracket main body 441 on which a plurality of sensors 500, 550 and 560 are installed and bracket supports 443 and 445 for supporting the bracket main body 441.

The bracket supports 443 and 445 may be coupled to support the bracket main body 441 to the housing cover 430. For example, the bracket supports 443 and 445 are provided with a first support 443 for connecting the upper portion of the bracket main body 441 to the outer surfaces of the guide plates 434, and a second support 445 for connecting the lower portion the bracket main body 441 of to the outer surfaces of the guide plates 432.

Meanwhile, the reference point O of the housing cover 430 is the same as the central point of the air blowing fan 480. Therefore, the reference point O may be positioned on the rotation axis S of the air blowing fan 480. Here, the rotation axis S can be understood as a virtual horizontal line drawn forward from the reference point O.

In addition, a virtual perpendicular line perpendicular to the rotation axis S is defined as a vertical reference line D. At this time, the reference point O can be understood as the point where the rotation axis S meets the vertical reference line D, that is, the foot of the perpendicular line. Therefore, the vertical reference line (D) can be understood as a virtual vertical line drawn upward from the reference point (0).

As a result, the air flowing through the housing assembly 400 may flow in a direction of the rotation axis S and may be discharged in the direction of the vertical reference line D.

The flow of air passing through the housing assembly 400 will be described in detail as follows. The air flowing into the air blowing fan 480 in the direction of the rotation axis S flows to the open end portion 431 a along the scroll flow path formed by the guides of the fan housing 410 and the housing cover 430.

As described above, the air flow path, which is discharged from the air blowing fan 480 and directed to the discharge portion 109, may include a first discharge flow path 430 a in which the air flows along the guide of the first guide 432, and a second discharge flow path 430 b in which the air flows to the open end portion 431 a along the guide of the second guide 433.

Accordingly, the air flowing into the air blowing fan 480 may be discharged in the radial direction, the air discharged in the radial direction may flow in a curved shape along the first discharge flow path 430 a and flow into the second discharge flow path 430 b, and the air flowing into the second discharge flow path 430 b may flows upward along the direction of the vertical reference line D and pass through the discharge portion 109 positioned above the open end portion 431 a so as to discharge to the outside.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of FIG. 14A.

Referring to FIG. 15, the cutoff portion 435 may forms so as to extend from a rear end contact point 435 a to which the rear end portion 432 a of the first guide 432 and the rear end portion 434 a of the third guide 434 are connected to a front end contact point 435 b to which the front end portion 432 b of the first guide and the front end portion 434 b of the third guide are connected.

The rear end portion 434 a of the third guide 434 may be positioned inside the front end portion 434 b of the third guide 434. Accordingly, the rear end contact point 435 a may be positioned further inward than the front end contact point 435 b.

Here, a tangential line DM passing through the rear end contact point 435 a and a tangential line DP passing through the front end contact point 435 b passing through may be parallel to the vertical reference line D.

The inner surface of the cutoff portion 435 extending from the rear end contact point 435 a of the cutoff portion 435 to the front end contact point 435 b may be curved. For example, the inner surface of the cutoff portion 435 may form a curved surface provided so that a recessed surface and a protruding surface are repeated in the vertical direction and/or the front and rear direction.

Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the flow resistance of the air which collides with the cutoff portion 435.

In other words, the inner surface of the cutoff portion 435 can form a convex portion and a concave portion (dotted line).

In other words, the inner surface of the cutoff portion 435 may be formed in three dimensions by the convex portion and the concave portion (dotted line) in the direction of the rotation axis S of the air blowing fan 480.

Specifically, the inner surface of the cutoff portion 435 may include the convex portion which is formed so as to protrude inward from the rear end contact point 435 a to the cutoff central point O′ and a concave portion which is formed so as to be recessed outwardly from the cutoff central point O′ to the front end contact point 435 b.

Here, the cutoff central point O′ may be defined as a central point between the rear end contact point 435 a and the front end contact point 435 b. Therefore, the cutoff central point O′ can be understood as an inflection point O′.

In other words, the cutoff portion 435 may form an inner surface having an arc shape.

As described above, a portion of the air flowing into the second discharge flow path 430 b may flows into the first discharge flow path 430 a again while colliding with the cutoff portion 435. The collision and re-inflow process may generate noise.

In other words, the cutoff portion 435 can be understood as a boundary between the discharge and the re-intake of the air flow inside the housing cover 430.

As a result of the experiment, the flow distribution of the air colliding on the cutoff portion 435 does not increase linearly along the rotation axis direction S of the air blowing fan 480. Accordingly, in the cutoff portion 435, an internal flow noise (BPF) may be generated due to a pressure difference or pressure concentration due to a collision of fluid (air).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an inner surface of the cutoff portion 435 is proposed in which convex portions and concave portions are formed so as to mitigate collision of fluid (air) in the cutoff portion 435. According to this, it is possible to reduce the internal flow noise (BPF).

Meanwhile, the third guide 434 may extend from the cutoff portion 435 in the discharge direction of the air. At the same time, the third guide 434 can be extended so that the angle of inclination of the third guide 434 with respect to the cover plate 431 changes in the discharge direction of the air.

In detail, the third guide 434 may be formed so that the angle of inclination of the third guide 434 with respect to the cover plate 431 is gradually close to the vertical along the discharge direction from the cutoff portion 435 which connects the rear end contact point 435 a, the inflection point O′, and the front end contact point 435 b. In other words, the third guide 434 may form a three-dimensional shape.

Here, the change of the inclination angle may be changed so as to be vertical by gradually increasing when the angle of the inclination between the cover plate 431 and the third guide 434 forms an acute angle, and may be changed so as to be vertical by gradually decreasing when the angle of the inclination there between forms an abuse angle. Therefore, the end of the third guide 434 may be perpendicular to the cover plate 431.

Accordingly, the air flowing toward the open end portion 431 a along the third guide 434 flows along the inner surface of the third guide 434, that is, the inclined surface. Therefore, the flow resistance is relatively small, and the flow sectional area is increased along the flow direction. As a result, the internal flow noise can be reduced.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a configuration of a portion of a housing cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. In detail, FIG. 16 is a view omitting the sensor bracket 440 described above so as to more easily illustrating the extension plate 436.

Referring to FIG. 16, the second guide 433 may include a cutting portion 433 a.

The cutting portion 433 a may be formed so that the upper portion of the second guide 433 is inclined rearward toward the upper end. In addition, the width of the cutting portion 433 a may be increased toward the upper end.

The cutting portion 433 a may be formed with a hole for guiding the coupling with the fan housing 410. The holes may be fitted to the housing plate 411.

The housing cover 430 further includes an extension plate 436 extending from the third guide 434.

The extension plate 436 may be positioned below the discharge portion 109 and the discharge grill 170.

The extension plate 436 may extend along the upper end of the cover plate 431 laterally from the upper end of the third guide 434.

In other words, the extension plate 436 may be bent from the third guide 434 and extend along the upper end of the housing cover 430. For example, the extension plate 436 may be bent from the third guide 434 and extend to the side end of the cover plate 431.

The extension plate 436 and the third guide 434 may be bent to the inside of the housing cover 430.

In addition, the extension plate 436 may include a stepped rib 436 a which forms a step so that the discharge grill 170 (see FIG. 27) to be described below is seated. The discharge grille 170 can be supported together with the grille installation groove 107 f (see FIG. 27) to be described below through the stepped ribs 436 a.

The extension plate 436 may extend along the upper end of the cover plate 431 by a predetermined length L. For example, the predetermined length L may be set to about 75 mm.

In another aspect, the extension plate 436 may extend vertically from the upper end of the cover plate 431. In other words, the extension plate 436 may extend forward by the predetermined length L from the cover plate 431.

The extension plate 436 may be positioned downstream of the second discharge flow path 430 b. In other words, the extension plate 436 may be positioned beside the discharge port.

Accordingly, when compared to a case where the extension plate 436 is not formed, the flow direction of the air discharged through the discharge portion 109 can be guided to be relatively upward.

For convenience of explanation, it is assumed a case where the third guide 434 extends directly from the cutoff portion 435 to the upper end of the cover plate 431 (dotted line).

In the above assumption, the virtual third guide V and the cover plate 431 can extend so that a recessed space formed by the extension plate 436 and the third guide 434 is included in the second discharge flow path 430 b.

In other words, the discharge port can extend to both side ends of the cover plate 431. Accordingly, the flow sectional area can also be enlarged in proportion thereto.

The extending direction of the virtual third guide V may have a larger angle with respect to the vertical reference line D than the extending direction of the third guide 434.

Accordingly, the air passing through the discharge portion 109 according to the guide of the virtual third guide V can form a flow of the discharged air deviated in the lateral direction from the air passing through the discharge portion 109 according to the guide of the third guide 434.

FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B are experimental graphs comparing the flows of discharged air according to the presence or absence of an extension plate of the humidifying air purifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17A is an experimental graph illustrating the flow (pressure) distribution of air discharged from the discharge portion 109 of the humidifying air purifier provided with the virtual third guide V. FIG. 17B is an experimental graph illustrating the flow distribution of air discharged from the discharge portion 109 of the humidifying air purifier provided with the third guide 434 and the extension plate 436.

Referring to FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B, a man lying on a bed and the distribution of flow (pressure) of air discharged from a humidifying air purifier disposed near the bed can be confirmed. At this time, the height of the discharge portion 109 of the humidifying air purifier is set to the same position as the height of the head portion where the respirator of the man is positioned.

Referring to FIG. 17A, the air discharged through the discharge portion 109 of the humidifying air purifier provided with the virtual third guide V is discharged in a state of being relatively biased toward one side where the man is positioned. Accordingly, the discharge air can form an air flow which directly touches the head of the man.

Referring to FIG. 17B, the air discharged through the discharge portion 109 of the humidifying air purifier provided with the third guide 434 and the extension plate 436 is not directly reach to the head, but can form an air flow which is relatively concentrated upward.

In the experiment of FIG. 17B, the predetermined length L of the extension plate 436 is set to 75 mm.

In other words, the extension plate 436 can relatively concentrate the air discharged from the discharge portion 109 upward.

The humidifying air purifier 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a household type humidifying air purifier which is used as a furniture such as a bookcase or a table. Therefore, it is possible to assume a layout embodiment similar to the furniture generally disposed in the indoor space.

For example, in order to create a more comfortable sleeping environment for a user, a user may place a humidifier air purifier near a bed. In this case, the position of the air discharge portion of the household type humidifying air purifier, which is formed to provide functions such as a bookcase and a table can be placed relatively close to the respirator of an adult lying on the bed in general.

Accordingly, the air discharged from the humidifying air purifier disposed near the bed can directly reach the user. Therefore, the user may feel uncomfortable and may be sanitarily dangerous.

On the other hand, the humidifying air purifier 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can guide the discharge direction of the air along the extension plate 436 to be concentrated upward. Therefore, the discharged air can be prevented from reaching directly the user in the above-described use environment.

Finally, according to the humidifying air purifier 10, the convenience of the user can be improved and the degree of freedom in disposing the product can increase.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an impeller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The impeller 485 may have a generally cylindrical shape. In detail, the impeller 485 may include a plurality of blades 488, a main plate 490 to which the plurality of blades 488 are coupled, and a hub 486 which is provided on a central portion of the main plate 490 and protrudes forward.

As described above, the hub 486 may be provided with a rotation shaft connecting portion 481 (see FIG. 14) to which the rotation shaft of the fan motor 483 is connected. The plurality of blades 488 may be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the main plate 490.

The impeller 485 further includes a fixing portion 492 provided at a front portion of the plurality of blades 488. The fixing portion 492 functions to fix the plurality of blades 488. The rear end portion of the plurality of blades 488 is coupled to the main plate 490 and the front end portion of the blade 488 can be coupled to the fixing portion 492.

A fan motor 483 is disposed in front of the hub 486 of the impeller 485. The fan motor 483 may be mounted on the mounting rib 413 of the fan housing 410.

A motor cover 482 and a locking portion 481 may be disposed behind the fan motor 483. The motor cover 482 can mount and fix the fan motor 483 on/to the mounting rib 413 of the fan housing 410. The locking portion 481 is coupled to the rotation shaft of the fan motor 483 and disposed on the hub 486 so that the rotational power of the fan motor 483 is transmitted to the impeller 485.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating a shape of an impeller blade according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The blade 488 according to an embodiment of the present invention may have an airfoil shape curved in one direction.

In detail, at least a portion of a chord C of the blade 488 is positioned outside the blade 488 and can be formed to face a positive pressure surface 601. In this case, the chord C of the blade means a virtual straight line connecting the leading edge 603 and the trailing edge 604.

In addition, the positive pressure surface 601 of the blade 488 may be concave and the negative pressure surface 602 may be convex.

The impeller 485 can rotate in a direction in which the positive pressure surface 601 of the blade 488 receives air pressure. Air sucked into the impeller 485 through the fan intake 415 (see FIG. 6) strikes the leading edge 603 and flows along the surfaces of the positive pressure surface 601 and the negative pressure surface 602 and the flow of the air can be separated at the trailing edge 604.

The blade 488 may be formed to have a predetermined leading radius R.

Hereinafter, so as to describe the shape of the blade 488 of the present invention in detail, virtual points, lines, and the like serving as a reference of the construction are first defined.

The mean camber line 656 may mean a virtual line connecting the centers of virtual circles inscribing in the positive pressure surface 601 and negative pressure surface 602.

The camber means the distance between the average camber line 656 and the chord C, and the maximum value of the camber can be referred to as the maximum camber M. In addition, the distance between the leading edge 603 and the point 655 having the maximum camber M at the average camber line 656 can be referred to as the maximum camber position ML.

A virtual circle 654 centering on the point 655 corresponding to the maximum camber position ML in the average camber line 656 and inscribing in the positive pressure surface 601 and negative pressure surface 602 can be constructed. In this case, the contact point between the virtual circle 654 and the negative pressure surface 602 may be referred to as a maximum camber point 658. In other words, the maximum camber point 658 may mean a point corresponding to the maximum camber position ML among the negative pressure surfaces 602.

The negative pressure surface 602 may include a first linear surface 606 and a second linear surface 607 positioned between the maximum camber point 658 and the leading edge 603.

Since the first linear surface 606 and the second linear surface 607 are formed to be flat, it may be difficult to determine the camber line according to the above-described definition with respect to the first linear surface 606 and the second linear surface 607.

Therefore, a virtual line 657 connecting the leading edge 603 with the point 655 corresponding to the maximum camber position ML in the average camber line 656 can be constructed. The virtual line 657 may maintain a predetermined distance from the positive pressure surface 601 and the distance d between the virtual line 657 and the positive pressure surface 601 can be the same as the radius d of the virtual circle 654.

The virtual line 657 can means the average chamber line of the blade in a case of being assumed not to include the first linear surface 606 and the second linear surface 607 in the negative pressure surface 602 but instead to include a curved surface which connects the leading edge 603 and the maximum camber point 658 to each other in a streanmlined manner.

In other words, the virtual line 657 may be referred to as a virtual average camber line.

The reference point 605A may be positioned on the negative pressure surface 602.

In detail, the reference point 605A may be positioned between the maximum camber point 658 and the leading edge 603 along the negative pressure surface. The reference point 605A may mean a point at which the distance from the negative pressure surface 602 to the positive pressure surface 601 is maximum.

In other words, the distance t from the negative pressure surface 602 to the positive pressure surface 601 can be maximized at the reference point. The distance may be the minimum distance t from one point of the negative pressure surface 602 to the positive pressure surface 601 and may mean the thickness of the blade 488.

The distance t between the positive pressure surface 601 and the negative pressure surface 602 can increase from the leading edge 603 to the reference point 605A and decrease from the reference point 605A to the trailing edge 604.

A first virtual straight line 651 contacting the virtual line 657 at the leading edge 603 can be constructed.

In detail, the tangent line in a case where one point on the virtual line 657 among tangent lines at the one point is as close as possible to the leading edge 603 can be a first virtual straight line 651. In addition, a second virtual straight line 652 connecting the leading edge 603 and the reference point 605A can be constructed.

The angle formed by the first virtual straight line 651 and the second virtual straight line 652 may be referred to as a predetermined angle TH, and the predetermined angle TH may be an acute angle. More specifically, the predetermined angle TH may be between 7.5 degrees and 23 degrees.

The distance DL between the leading edge 603 and the reference point 605A in the direction parallel to the first virtual straight line 651 may be referred to as a predetermined distance DL, and the predetermined distance DL may be shorter than the maximum camber position ML of the blade 488.

In addition, the predetermined distance DL may be 0.21 times to 0.27 times the chord length CL of the blade 488.

The exact position of the reference point 605A can be determined by the predetermined angle TH and the predetermined distance DL.

Hereinafter, the negative pressure surface 602 of the blade 488 will be described in more detail.

The negative pressure surface 602 of the blade 488 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first linear surface 606 and a second linear surface 607.

The first linear surface 606 may be positioned between the reference point 605A and the leading edge 603 and the second linear surface 607 may be positioned between the reference point 605A and the maximum camber point 658.

The first linear surface 606 and the second linear surface 607 may be formed to be flat, respectively, and may be formed obliquely to each other. The angle between the first linear surface 606 and the second linear surface 607 may be an obtuse angle.

The distance between the first linear surface 606 and the positive pressure surface 601 can be away from the leading edge 603 toward the reference point 605A and the distance between the second linear surface 607 and the positive pressure surface 601 may be closer to the reference point 605A toward the maximum camber point 658.

The negative pressure surface 602 may further include a connecting curved surface 605 connecting the first linear surface 606 and the second linear surface 607.

In this case, the reference point 605A may correspond to the inflection point of the connecting curved surface 605. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and it is also possible that the first linear surface 606 and second linear surfaces 607 are directly connected to each other while the connecting curved surface 605 is not included in the negative pressure surface 602. In this case, the reference point 605A may means a connection point between the first linear surface 606 and the second linear surface 607.

The negative pressure surface 602 may further include a flow curved surface 608. The flow curved surface 608 may connect the second linear surface 607 and the trailing edge 604 and at least a portion may be positioned between the maximum camber point 658 and the trailing edge 604.

The shape formed by the first linear surface 606 and the second linear surface 607 can be referred to as a droop shape or a dolphin head shape.

FIG. 20A is a diagram illustrating a shape of a blade of a impeller in the related art as a comparative example, FIG. 20B is a view illustrating a shape of a blade according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21 is a graph illustrating a noise change according air volume of a impeller in the related art and an impeller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The blade 488 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the blade 488′ in the related art may have the same chord length CL and maximum camber M and the maximum camber position ML may also be the same.

In addition, the positive pressure surface 601 of the blade 488 according to an embodiment of the present invention may also be the same as or similar to the positive pressure surface 601′ of the blade 488′ of the related art. In addition, the flow curved surface 608 of the blade 488 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be the same as the portion corresponding to the negative pressure surface 602′ of the blade 488′ of the related art.

However, the shapes of the negative pressure surface 602′ of the blade 488′ of the related art and the negative pressure surface 602 of the blade 488 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be different from each other in that the negative pressure surface 602′ of the blade 488′ of the related art is formed in a streamlined curved surface as a whole, while the negative pressure surface 602 of the blade 488 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the first linear surface 606 and the second linear surface 607.

The impeller having the shape of the blade 488′ of the related art and the impeller 485 having the blade 488 according to the embodiment of the present invention were operated to compare noise thereof, respectively. The experimental impeller includes 37 blades and is 270 mm in diameter and 88 mm in height. In addition, each blade was set at an inlet angle of 68.2 degrees and an outlet angle of 162 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 21, it can be seen that the noise of the impeller b having the blade 488 according to the embodiment of the present invention is smaller than that of the impeller a having the blade 488′ in the related art. More specifically, in a case where the air volume is 3.2 CMM, the noise is reduced by 1.3 dB, and in a case where the air volume is 5.3 CMM, the noise is reduced by 1.1 dB.

It can be confirmed that the noise of the impeller b having the blade 488 according to the embodiment of the present invention is less than that of the impeller a having the blade 488′ in the related art at any air volume. In other words, the blade 488 according to the embodiment of the present invention not only has the effect of reducing the noise only under the specific air volume condition, but also has the effect of reducing the noise for all the air volume.

FIG. 22 is a graph illustrating noise according to air volume of a blade according to an embodiment of the present invention according to a predetermined angle TH.

The predetermined distance DL (see FIG. 19) of the blade which tested the noise according to air volume according to the predetermined angle TH was set to 0.21 times the chord length CL (see FIG. 19).

Referring to FIG. 22, it can be confirmed that in all cases where the predetermined angle TH of the blade 488 according to the embodiment of the present invention is 7.5 degrees, 13 degrees, and 23 degrees, the noise is reduced as compared with the impeller having the blade 488′ in the related art.

It is confirmed that, in a case where the predetermined angle TH is less than 7.5 degrees or greater than 23 degrees, the noise reduction effect is less than that of the impeller having the blade 488′ in the related art, and when the predetermined angle TH is 13 degrees, the noise reduction effect was the maximum.

More specifically, based on the air amount of 5.3 CMM, in a case where the predetermined angle TH was 13 degrees, 38.1 dB of noise was measured, in a case where the predetermined angle TH was 7.5 degrees, 38.84 dB of the noise was measured, and in a case where the predetermined angle TH was 23 degrees, 38.63 dB of noise was measured.

Accordingly, the predetermined angle TH of the blade 488 may be 7.5 degrees to 23 degrees, preferably 13 degrees.

FIG. 23 is a graph illustrating noise according to air volume according to a set length DL of a blade according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The predetermined angle TH (see FIG. 19) of the blade which tested the noises according to air volume according to the predetermined distance DL was set to 13 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 23, in all cases where the predetermined distance DL of the blade 488 according to the embodiment of the present invention is 0.21 times the chord length CL and 0.27 times the chord length CL, it can be confirmed that the noise is reduced as compared with the impeller having the blade 488′ in the related art.

It was confirmed that in a case where the predetermined distance DL is shorter than 0.21 times the chord length CL or longer than 0.27 times the chord length CL, the noise reduction effect is less than that of the impeller having the blade 488′ of the related art, and when the predetermined distance DL is 0.21 times the chord length CL, the noise reduction effect is the maximum.

More specifically, based on the air volume 5.3 CMM, in a case where the predetermined distance DL was 0.21 times the chord length CL, 38.1 dB of noise was measured, and in a case where the predetermined distance DL was 0.27 times the chord length CL, 38.93 dB of noise was measured.

Therefore, the predetermined distance DL of the blade 488 may be 0.21 times to 0.27 times the chord length CL, and is preferably 0.21 times the chord length CL.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a rear configuration of a housing cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the housing cover 430 may further include a sensor bracket 440 to which a plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560 (see FIG. 25) are mounted. The sensor bracket 440 may be connected to the outer surfaces of the guide plates 432, 433, and 434.

The sensor bracket 440 may be installed in a space in which the flow of air, that is, suction or discharge of air, in the housing cover 430 is not performed well.

Specifically, the sensor bracket 440 may be installed in an empty space, which does not function as an air discharge flow path, in the housing cover 430.

In detail, the sensor bracket 440 can include a bracket main body 441 on which a plurality of sensors 500, 550 and 560 are installed and bracket supports 443 and 445 which supports the bracket main body 441.

The bracket main body 441 may have a substantially hexahedral shape. The bracket main body 441 may be positioned on the side of the guide plates 432, 433, and 434.

Specifically, the bracket main body 441 may be positioned on the side of the cutoff portion 435 between the third guide 434 and the first guide 432.

A sensor installing space 441 a may be provided on the rear surface of the bracket main body 441, in which a plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560 are installed. The sensor installing space 441 a can be understood as a space recessed forward from the rear surface of the bracket main body 441. The sensor installing space 441 a may include a plurality of support ribs 441 b for supporting a plurality of sensors and a sensor fastening portion 441 c for fastening the sensor with the fastening member.

The support ribs 441 b support the plurality of sensors and can divide the installing positions of the plurality of sensors. The fastening member is coupled to the sensor fastening portion 441 c, and the plurality of sensors can be coupled to the sensor bracket 440 through the coupling member.

With such a configuration, the plurality of sensors can be stably fixed in the sensor installing space 441 a. Sensors installed in the sensor installing space 441 a may be shielded by a rear panel 107 coupled to the rear side of the housing cover 430.

The bracket supports 443 and 445 may support the bracket main body 441 on the housing cover 430. For example, the bracket supports 443 and 445 include a first support 443 for connecting the upper portion of the bracket main body 441 to the outer surfaces of the guide plates 432, 433 and 434, and a second support 445 connected to the outer surfaces of the guide plates 432, 433, and 434.

For example, the first support 443 is connected to at least one of the third guide 434 and the extension plate 436 and the second support 445 is connected to the first guide 432.

In addition, a through-hole 446 may be formed between the sensor bracket 440 and the guide plates 432, 433, and 434. In the through-hole 446, wires (electric wires) electrically connected to the plurality of sensors may be disposed to pass through.

Meanwhile, a sensor charging device, which will be described below, may be installed on the rear surface of the sensor bracket 440, specifically, on the rear surface of the first support 443. To this end, a charging device fastening portion 443 a for fastening the sensor charging device with the fastening member is provided on the rear surface of the first support 443.

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating a sensor mounted on a housing cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a configuration of a dust sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 27 is a front perspective view illustrating a rear panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of a rear panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 29 is a view illustrating a state where a discharge grille is removed from an upper surface portion of a rear panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 25 to FIG. 29, the humidifying air purifier 10 further includes a plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560 installed on the housing cover 430. The plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560 can be understood as a configuration for acquiring environmental information of an indoor space through foreign matters included in indoor air.

The plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560 may include a dust sensor 500 which detects the amount of dust contained in the indoor air. The dust sensor 500 may be installed at the side of the housing cover 430.

In detail, the dust sensor 500 is installed in a sensor installing space 441 a provided on a rear surface of the sensor bracket 440 and can detect the amount of dust contained in the indoor air through the rear panel 107 coupled to the rear side of the housing cover 430. At this time, the rear panel 107 covers the dust sensor 500 such that the dust sensor 500 is not exposed to the outside.

More specifically, the dust sensor 500 includes a main body 510 having a component which substantially senses the amount of dust in the air.

The main body 510 may include a sensor substrate 511 having a terminal portion 515 and a sensor case 512 coupled to the sensor substrate 511 and having a heater 517 and light transmitting and receiving portions 518 and 519 therein.

The terminal portion 515 can be understood as a configuration to which an electric wire or a predetermined connector to which the electric wire is connected can be connected.

The sensor substrate 511 has a space in which the terminal portion 515 and the sensor case 512 are installed. The sensor substrate 511 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and can be seated in the sensor installing space 441 a.

In the sensor case 512, a flow path of the air in which the amount of dust can be detected, that is, a sensor flow path 512 a, may be included.

In addition, the sensor case 512 further includes a sensor intake 513 into which air sucked through a sensor coupling portion 520 to be described below flows. The sensor intake 513 is disposed below the sensor case 512 and may be configured to pass through a back surface of the sensor case 512.

A heater 517 may be disposed on one side of the sensor intake 513. The heater 517 functions to raise the ambient air temperature of the sensor intake 513. When the heater 517 is driven, the temperature of the air around the sensor intake 513 rises to decrease the density thereof, and accordingly to decrease the pressure thereof.

In addition, a sensor discharge portion 514 for discharging air may be formed on the sensor flow path 512 a. The sensor discharge portion 514 may be configured to penetrate the back surface of the sensor case 512. In other words, the sensor discharge portion 514 is disposed above the sensor intake portion 513.

In addition, light transmitting and receiving portions 518 and 519 may be disposed on both sides of the sensor flow path 512 a. The light transmitting and receiving portions 518 and 519 include a light transmitting portion 518 disposed at one side of the sensor flow path 512 a and emitting light. For example, the light transmitting portion 518 may include a light emitting diode (LED).

In addition, the light transmitting and receiving portions 518 and 519 are disposed on the other side of the sensor flow path 512 a and when the light E1 emitted from the light transmitting portion 518 acts on the air flowing P1 through the sensor flow path 512 a, a light receiving portion 519 for measuring the sensitivity of light E2 scattered by the dust contained in the air is included. For example, the light receiving portion 519 may include a photodiode detector. The greater the amount of dust contained in the air, the lower the sensitivity of the light received by the light receiving portion 519 and the higher the output voltage value. In other words, the sensitivity of light and the output voltage value can be inversely proportional.

In addition, the sensor case 512 includes a cleaning hole 516 accessible to a user for cleaning the dust sensor 500. The cleaning hole 516 is formed by opening at least a portion of the back surface of the sensor case 512. A through-hole 521 of the sensor coupling portion 520 is disposed behind the cleaning hole 516 and the rear of the through-hole 521 may be covered by a sensor cover 530 to be described below. In other words, the cleaning hole 516 and the through-hole 521 are configured to communicate with each other.

In addition, the dust sensor 500 further includes a sensor coupling portion 520 coupled to the sensor main body 510. The sensor coupling portion 520 may serve as a passageway for guiding the outside indoor air to the sensor intake 513.

In this embodiment, the sensor coupling portion 520 is installed on the inner surface of the rear panel 107. When the rear panel 107 is coupled to the rear side of the housing cover 430, the sensor coupling portion 520 may be coupled to or connected to the sensor main body 510. At this time, the through-hole 521 of the sensor coupling portion 520 can communicate with the sensor intake 513 and the cleaning hole 516.

The through-hole 521 may be configured so as to pass through the front surface and the rear surface of the sensor coupling portion 520. Therefore, the indoor air introduced through the rear portion of the through-hole 521 can be guided to the sensor intake portion 513 after passing through the through-hole 521. The through-hole 521 can be understood as a sensor access hole for accessing the sensor main body 510.

In addition, the rear portion of the through-hole 521 may be covered by the sensor cover 530. To this end, a hook coupling portion (not illustrated) may be formed on the rear surface of the sensor coupling portion 520, to which the sensor cover 530 can be attached and detached. The hook coupling portion includes a coupling groove. Therefore, the hook (not illustrated) of the sensor cover 530 can be hooked to the coupling groove of the hook coupling portion.

In addition, the dust sensor 500 further includes a sensor cover 530 coupled to the rear of the sensor coupling portion 520. The sensor cover 530 includes a grill portion 531 through which air is sucked into the dust sensor 500 and air in the dust sensor 500 is discharged to the outside.

The grill portion 531 is configured to pass through the back surface of the sensor cover 530. The grill portion 531 is configured so as to communicate with the through-hole 521 formed in the sensor coupling portion 520.

Accordingly, the indoor air sucked into the grill portion 531 passes through the through-hole 521 of the sensor coupling portion 520 and then sucks into the sensor intake 513 of the sensor case 512. The air discharged to the sensor discharge portion 514 of the sensor case 512 can pass through the through-hole 521 of the sensor coupling portion 520 and can be discharged to the outside through the grill portion 531.

In addition, the sensor cover 530 further includes a hook (not illustrated) coupled to a hook coupling portion formed on the sensor coupling portion 520. The hook may include an engaging portion (not illustrated) inserted into the hook coupling portion and a grip portion (not illustrated) which can be gripped by the user. For example, the grip portion may extend upward from the engaging portion.

According to this configuration, when the user separates the sensor cover 530 from the sensor coupling portion 520, the cleaning hole 516 can be exposed to the outside through the through-hole 521. The user can access the sensor main body 510 through the through-hole 521 and the cleaning hole 516 to clean the dust sensor 500.

In other words, the user separates only the sensor cover 530 and can access the cleaning hole 516 without separating the sensor coupling portion 520 or separating the rear panel 107 so that dust and the like deposited on the inside of the sensor main body 510 can be easily cleaned.

In addition, the plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560 may further include a gas sensor 550 which detects the concentration of contaminants contained in the indoor air. The gas sensor 550 is installed on the side of the housing cover 430. For example, the gas sensor 550 may be disposed on the side of the dust sensor 500.

In detail, the gas sensor 550 is installed in a sensor installing space 441 a provided on the rear surface of the sensor bracket 440 and thus can detect the concentration of contaminants contained in the indoor air through a rear panel 107 coupled to the rear side of the housing cover 430. At this time, the rear panel 107 covers the gas sensor 550 so that the gas sensor 550 is not exposed to the outside.

The gas sensor 550 may include a sensor portion 551 for sensing the concentration of contaminants in the air, and a sensor substrate 552 on which the sensor portion 551 is installed.

The sensor substrate 552 provides a space in which the sensor portion 551 is installed. The sensor substrate 552 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and can be seated in the sensor installing space 441 a.

In addition, the plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560 may further include a humidity sensor 560 which senses the humidity of the indoor air. The humidity sensor 560 is installed on the side of the housing cover 430. For example, the humidity sensor 560 may be disposed below the gas sensor 550.

The humidity sensor 560 is installed in a sensor installing space 441 a provided on the rear surface of the sensor bracket 440 and thus can detect the humidity of the indoor air through the rear panel 107 coupled to the rear side of the housing cover 430. At this time, the rear panel 107 covers the humidity sensor 560 such that the humidity sensor 560 is not exposed to the outside.

The humidity sensor 560 includes a sensor portion 561 for sensing moisture in the air and a sensor substrate 562 on which the sensor portion 561 is installed.

The sensor substrate 562 provides a space in which the sensor portion 561 is installed. The sensor substrate 562 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and can be seated in the sensor installing space 441 a.

As described above, the dust sensor 500, the gas sensor 550, and the humidity sensor 560 are densely disposed in a space in which the air flow is not well performed in the housing cover 430, that is, on the outer surface of the housing cover. Therefore, an installing space in which the plurality of sensors are installed can be ensured, and a plurality of sensors are concentratedly disposed in one place, so that the sensor can be easily managed.

In addition, the through-holes 446 are positioned between the sensor brackets 440 in which the sensors 500, 550 and 560 are installed and the guide plates 432, 433 and 434.

In other words, since the plurality of sensors are spaced apart from the second discharge flow path 430 b (see FIG. 14) by the through-holes 446, it is possible to prevent the air flow in the second discharge passage 430 b from affecting the plurality of sensors. Therefore, the sensing sensitivity of the plurality of sensors can be improved.

In addition, since the plurality of sensors 500, 550 and 560 are covered by the rear panel 107 and thus are not exposed to the outside, the outer appearance of the product can be clean. When the rear panel 107 is separated, since the plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560 may be exposed to the outside, in a case where a failure occurs in some of the sensors 500, 550, and 560, since only the rear panel 107 can be separated to be capable of replacing or repairing the faulty sensor, the maintenance and management of the sensor can be simplified.

Meanwhile, the humidifying air purifier 10 further includes a sensor charging device 800 installed in the housing cover 430. The sensor charging device 800 can be understood as a device for supplying power to at least one or all of the dust sensor 500, the gas sensor 550 and the humidity sensor 560.

In detail, the sensor charging device 800 includes a plurality of components for charging, that is, a charging device case 810 having a charging module embedded therein.

The charging device case 810 has a substantially hexahedral shape and is installed on the rear surface of the sensor bracket 440. Specifically, the charging device case 810 is installed on the rear surface of the first support 443 which supports the sensor bracket 440.

At this time, the charging device case 810 may protrude further to the rear of the housing cover 430 than the plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560 installed in the sensor bracket 440.

In other words, the surface on which the charging device case 810 is installed may protrude further rearward than the surface on which the plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560 are installed. The charging device case 810 may be exposed to the outside through the rear panel 107.

In addition, the charging device case 810 further includes a plug inserting port 812 into which an external charging plug is inserted. The plug inserting port 812 can be understood as a portion where a plug connected to an external power supply portion (not illustrated) is electrically connected to the charging device case 810.

For example, the plug inserting port 812 may be formed on the upper surface portion of the charging device case 810. In other words, the plug inserting port 812 may be formed to be recessed downward from the upper surface portion of the charging device case 810.

In addition, the charging device case 810 may further include connecting portions 814 for fastening the charging device case 810 to the sensor bracket 440. For example, the connecting portions 814 may extend from both sides of the charging device case 810, respectively. The connecting portion 814 may be fastened to the charging device fastening portion 443 a (see FIG. 24) provided on the first support 443 by fastening members.

In addition, the sensor charging device 800 further includes a charging device cover 820 coupled to the charging device case 810. For example, the charging device cover 820 may have a hexahedron shape with the front surface portion thereof opened.

The charging device cover 820 functions to prevent the charging device case 810 from being exposed to the outside through the rear panel 107. To this end, the charging device cover 820 may be disposed in the area of the rear panel 107 where the charging device case 810 is exposed. In other words, the charging device cover 820 may be installed to shield the opening portion 107 a formed in the rear panel 107 from the rear surface of the rear panel 107. At this time, the charging device cover 820 may be installed on the rear surface of the rear panel 107 so that the charging device cover 820 can be attached and detached.

In summary, the charging device case 810 can be exposed to the outside through the opening portion 107 a of the rear panel 107 and the exposed charging device case 810 can be selectively covered by the charging device cover 820.

In addition, in the charging device cover 820, a plug through-hole 821 through which an external charging plug passes is formed. The plug through-hole 821 can be understood as a portion for electrically connecting the charging plug to the charging device case 810 positioned inside the charging device cover 820.

For example, the plug through-hole 821 may be provided on the upper surface portion of the charging cover 820. The plug through-hole 821 may be formed on the upper surface portion of the charging device cover 820 by cutting a portion of the charging device cover. The plug inserting port 812 of the charging device case 810 can be exposed through the plug through-hole 821. In other words, the plug through-hole 821 and the plug inserting port 812 can be disposed to face each other and communicate with each other.

Accordingly, the user can supply power to the sensor charging device 800 by inserting a plug into the plug inserting port 812 through the plug through-hole 821. Then, the sensor charging device 800 can supply the power supplied through the plug to at least one or all the dust sensor 500, the gas sensor 550, and the humidity sensor 560.

In addition, the plug through-hole 821 may be provided with a foreign matter preventing portion (not illustrated) for preventing foreign matter such as dust and moisture from penetrating into the plug through-hole 821. For example, the foreign matter preventing portion may be formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and may be provided inside the plug through-hole 821. The foreign matter preventing portion may be configured to selectively open and close the plug through-hole 821. With such a configuration, the user can easily access the sensor charging device 800 through the charging device cover 820. Therefore, the charging of the plurality of sensors can be easily and easily performed.

Meanwhile, the rear panel 107 may cover the rear side of the housing cover 430. In other words, the rear panel 107 may be positioned at the rearmost side of the humidifying air purifier 10.

In detail, the rear panel 107 may include a plate portion disposed on the rear side of the housing cover 430.

The plate portion may have a rectangular plate shape. The plate portion may be coupled to the rear side of the housing cover 430 to cover the plurality of sensors 500, 550, and 560, the sensor charging device 800, or the like.

The plate portion may be provided with an opening portion 107 a through which the sensor charging device 800 passes. The opening portion 107 a may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the sensor charging device 800.

When the rear panel 107 is coupled to the housing cover 430, at least a portion of the sensor charging device 800 may be exposed to the outside by the opening portion 107 a.

In addition, the exposed sensor charging device 800 may be shielded by the charging device cover 820.

The rear panel 107 may further include a panel fastening portion 107 b fastened to the rear side of the housing cover 430 by the fastening members. The panel fastening portion 107 b may be fixed to the housing cover 430 by being fastened to the fastening portion 438 a of the housing cover 430 by the fastening members. The panel fastening portion 107 b may be formed on the front surface of the plate portion.

The rear panel 107 is further provided with an inserting portion 107 c protruding forward to be inserted into the body frame 110, a support rib 107 d for fixing or supporting the inserting portion 107 c, and a service groove 107 e formed in the lower end portion as a groove.

The inserting portion 107 c may be provided on both sides of the lower end of the rear panel 107, respectively. The inserting portion 107 c may be protruded forward and inserted into the lower end of the body frame 110. Accordingly, the rear panel 107 can be coupled to the rear of the body frame 110.

The support rib 107 d may extend forward from the rear panel 107 so as to fix and support the inserting portion 107 c.

In addition, the support rib 107 d may function as a coupling bracket coupled to the housing cover 430. In this case, the coupling bracket may be provided at the upper and lower portions of the plate portion.

The service groove 107 e may be recessed upward from the lower end portion of the rear panel 107 to facilitate the movement of the humidifier air purifier 10.

In addition, the rear panel 107 is provided with a discharge portion 109 through which filtered and humidified air is discharged and a non-discharge portion 109A which is positioned on the side of the discharge portion 109 and through which no air is discharged.

Specifically, the upper portion of the rear panel 107 may be bent in a ¬-shape. In addition, the upper portion of the rear panel 107 may extend forward. In other words, the upper surface of the rear panel 107 may be formed.

On the upper surface of the rear panel 107, opening portions 109 and 109A formed to pass through in the vertical direction may be formed.

The opening portions 109 and 109A may include a discharge portion 109 and a non-discharge portion 109A.

The discharge portion 109 can face the second discharge flow path 430 b of the housing cover 430 (see FIG. 16) in the vertical direction, and the non-discharge portion 109A can face the extension plate 436 in the vertical direction.

The space between the second guide 433 and the third guide 434 of the opening portions 109 and 109A in the vertical direction may be formed as the discharge portion 109. In other words, the portion of the opening portions 109 and 109A facing the second discharge flow path 430 b is the discharge portion 109, and the portion facing the extension plate 436 can form the non-discharge portion 109A.

The area of the discharge portion 109 may be larger than the area of the non-discharge portion 109A.

The discharge portion 109 may be formed so that the second discharge flow path 430 b and the discharge port communicate with each other.

The discharge portion 109 can guide the air which has passed through the housing assembly 400 to be discharged to the outside.

In other words, when the rear panel 107 is coupled to the rear side of the housing cover 430, the discharge portion 109 can be positioned at the upper end of the housing cover 430. In other words, the discharge portion 109 is positioned on the upper side of the second discharge flow path 430 b.

The rear panel 107 may further include a discharge grill 170 for guiding a discharge direction of air passing through the discharge portion 109.

The discharge grill 170 may cover the opening portions 109 and 109A from above. In other words, the discharge grill 170 may cover the open end portion 431 a of the housing cover 430 and the extension plate 436.

In detail, a portion of the discharge grill 170 can cover the discharge portion 109, and the other portion thereof can cover the non-discharge portion 109A. In other words, a portion of the discharge grill 170 can face the second discharge flow passage 430 b in the vertical direction, and the other portion thereof can face the extension plate 436 in the vertical direction.

The rear panel 107 may further include a grill installing groove 107 f in which a discharge grill 170 is installed. The grill installing groove 107 f may be formed to be recessed downward from the upper surface of the rear panel 107. The discharge grille 170 may be seated in the grille installation groove 107 f.

The grill installing groove 107 f may be recessed downward so that the upper end of the grill guide 175 is positioned at the same height as the upper end of the upper panel 105. In other words, the upper end of the discharge grill 170 installed in the grill installing groove 107 f may form a horizontal plane with the upper end of the upper panel 105.

The grill installing groove 107 f may be defined as a groove formed along the opening on the upper surface of the rear panel 107.

The grill installing groove 107 f may form a step with the upper surface of the rear panel 107. The grill installing groove 107 f may be positioned at an edge of the opening portion 109 and 109A. For example, the discharge grill 170 may be seated in the grill installing groove 107 f.

FIG. 30 is an enlarged view of a portion of a rear panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The discharge grill 170 may include an outer frame seated along the grill installing groove 107 f and a grill guide 175 for guiding the flow direction of the air passing through the discharge portion 109.

In other words, the grill guide 175 may be positioned above the discharge portion 109. The grill guide 175 may be formed as a frame extending in the long-side direction of the upper surface of the rear panel 107.

The grill guide 175 may be disposed in the internal space formed by the outer frames so that a plurality of grill guides 175 are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. For example, the grill guides 175 may be spaced apart from each other along the front and rear direction.

Accordingly, the discharge portion 109 and the outside can communicate with each other through the plurality of grill guides 175. As a result, the air discharged to the discharge portion 109 flows between the plurality of grill guides 175 and may be discharged along the extending direction of the grill guide 175.

In other words, the grill guide 175 can guide the flow direction of the discharged air.

The grill guide 175 may extend so as to be inclined upward from the upper surface of the rear panel 107 by a predetermined angle θ A. In other words, the grill guide 175 may be formed to be inclined forward.

In other words, the grill guide 175 can maintain a constant angle with respect to a virtual vertical line.

The grill guide 175 may extend upward from the outer frame. In addition, the grill guide 175 may extend so as to be inclined forward toward the upper end.

Specifically, the grill guide 175 may define an extension reference line DH which is an virtual vertical line parallel to the vertical reference line D (see FIG. 14), and an extension starting point OH which is positioned at the side end portion of the grill installing groove 107 f.

The extension reference line DH and the extension starting point OH may be positioned so as to meet at a lower end of the grill guide 175.

In other words, the grill guide 175 can extend so as to be inclined upwardly by a predetermined angle θ A toward the front of the grill guide 175 with reference to the extension reference line DH and the extension starting point OH.

Here, the horizontal line drawn along the side end portion of the grill installing groove 107 f may be parallel to the ground.

In other words, the grill guide 175 may extend so as to be inclined upward toward the upper panel 105.

In other words, the discharge grill 170 may extend such that the upper end of the discharge grill 170 is inclined toward the door assembly 200 so that air passing through the discharge portion 109 is guided forward.

Accordingly, when the humidifying air purifier 10 is disposed so that the rear panel 107 is closely attached to the indoor wall surface, the discharged air passing through the discharge portion 109 can be discharged in the direction of the room opposite to the wall surface direction.

FIG. 31A and FIG. 31B are graphs illustrating an experiment to compare discharged air flows according to the inclination of a grill guide of a discharge grill according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In detail, FIG. 31A is an experimental graph illustrating the flow distribution of the discharge air passing through the discharge portion 109 in a case where the grill guide 175 extends along the extension reference line DH in the vertical direction, FIG. 31B is an experimental graph illustrating the flow distribution of the discharge air passing through the discharge portion 109 in a case where the grill guide 175 is extended to be inclined by a predetermined angle θ A from the extension reference line DH.

Since the humidifying air purifier according to the present embodiment is a household humidifying air purifier for also providing together with the use of furniture, such as a bookcase or a table, the humidifying air purifier can be disposed near a wall surface similar to furniture generally disposed in an indoor space.

Referring to FIG. 31A, it can be confirmed that the air discharged from the discharge portion 109 of the humidifying air purifier 10 disposed so that the rear panel 107 faces the wall surface W forms an air flow which directly and widely abuts against the wall surface W.

Referring to FIG. 31B, it can be confirmed that since the air discharged from the discharge portion 109 by the grill guide 175 inclined toward the front is discharged to the indoor space opposite to the wall surface W, the air flow which directly abuts against the wall surface W can be minimized.

In other words, the flow of the air which is discharged from the humidity air purifier 10 by the discharge grill 170 which extends to be inclined toward the front can guides so as to be away from the indoor wall surface.

Accordingly, there is an advantage that discoloration, damage, mold and the like, which may occur due to the discharge air having moisture in contact with the wallpaper, can be prevented. In other words, since wallpaper pollution can be prevented, and the environment of the indoor space can be kept clean.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view illustrating air flow in a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 32, the air flow in the humidifying air purifier 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, when the air blowing fan 480 is driven, the air outside the humidifying air purifier 10 can be sucked into the intake 225 via the recessed portion 30. The air sucked from the air intake 225 flows upward and flows into the drawer 220.

In addition, the air passes through the air filter assembly 280. Since the air filter assembly 280 is inclined forwardly in a state of being seated in the air filter seating portion 226, the air can evenly pass through the filter surface of the air filter assembly 280.

The air filtered in the air filter assembly 280 flows rearward and can pass through the humidifying filter assembly 300. The air is humidified while passing through the humidifying filter assembly 300, and the humidified air can pass through the air blowing fan 480.

Accordingly, since the air filter assembly 280, the water tub 260, and the humidifying filter assembly 300 are sequentially disposed rearward from the front portion of the drawer 220, the air can be easily filtered and humidified.

Air is sucked in the axial direction of the air blowing fan 480 and can be radially discharged. The air that has passed through the air blowing fan 480 flows upward and can be discharged to the outside through the discharge portion 109.

In other words, since the air is sucked into the front lower portion of the humidifying air purifier 10 and discharged to the rear upper portion thereof, the flow resistance is reduced and the air blowing performance can be improved.

Referring to the internal flow path of the air passing through the housing assembly 400, it is possible to form an internal flow path which flows in the axial direction of the air blowing fan 480 and is discharged upward toward the discharge portion 109.

The internal flow path will be described in detail as follows. The air introduced from the direction of the rotation axis of the air blowing fan 480 is discharged in the radial direction of the air blowing fan 480 and can flow toward the discharge portion 109 along the flow path of the scroll shape by the guide of the fan housing 410 and the housing cover 430.

FIG. 33 is a schematic view illustrating a portion of a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 34 is a schematic view illustrating an air flow in a humidifying air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 33 and FIG. 34, a humidifying air purifier 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the air filter 285, the humidifying filter 330, and the air blowing fan 480 are disposed in a line spaced apart from each other.

Specifically, the air filter 285 is disposed in a front portion of the humidifying air purifier 10, and the air blowing fan 480 is disposed in a rear portion of the humidifying air purifier 10. The humidifying filter 330 is disposed in a space between the air filter 285 and the air blowing fan 480.

In the present invention, the reason why the humidifying filter 330 is disposed in the space between the air filter 285 and the air blowing fan 480 is to facilitate humidification of the air.

In other words, since the humidifying filter 330 is positioned on the downstream side of the air filter 285 and is positioned on the upstream side of the air blowing fan 480, the air passing through the air filter 285 can be quickly discharged to the outside by the air blowing fan 480 in a state of containing moisture.

Unlike the present invention, if the humidifying filter 330 is positioned on the downstream side of the air blowing fan 480, the flow rate of air which has continuously passed through the air filter 285 and the air blowing fan 480 may be relatively slow after passing through the humidifying filter 330. If the flow rate is slowed, the time taken for the air to be discharged to the outside takes a long time, and as a result, the time for the moisture in the air to evaporate may increase.

In addition, the air filter 285 may be disposed to face the humidifying filter 330 and the humidifying filter 330 may be disposed to face the air blowing fan 480. At this time, the interval L1 between the air filter 285 and the humidifying filter 330 may be greater than the interval L2 between the humidifying filter 330 and the air blowing fan 480.

The interval L1 between the air filter 285 and the humidifying filter 330 may mean an interval between arbitrary points of the air filter 285 and the humidifying filter 330 in the front and rear direction, respectively. In addition, the interval L2 between the humidifying filter 330 and the air blowing fan 480 may mean an interval between arbitrary points of the humidifying filter 330 and the air blowing fan 480 in the front and rear direction, respectively.

In other words, by placing the humidifying filter 330 closer to the air blowing fan 480 than the air filter 285, the air containing the moisture is quickly discharged to the outside by the air blowing fan 480.

In addition, the air filter 285, the humidifying filter 330, and the air blowing fan 480 can be disposed in order along the axial direction of the fan motor 483 (see FIG. 32) of the air blowing fan 480.

In detail, the air filter 285, the humidifying filter 330, and the air blowing fan 480 are substantially understood as configurations through which indoor air essentially passes for filtering and humidification. Therefore, if the air filter 285, the humidifying filter 330, and the air blowing fan 480 are disposed in a line, the air flow direction can have straightness.

In other words, the air sucked into the humidifying air purifier 10 can move in a straight line and quickly pass through the air filter 285, the humidifying filter 330, and the air blowing fan 480. Accordingly, since the air sucked into the humidifying air purifier 10 can pass through the air filter 285, the humidifying filter 330, and the air blowing fan 480 in order while flowing backward, the filtering and humidifying effects of the air can be improved.

Meanwhile, the height H1 from the door lower surface portion 224 to the upper end of the air filter 285 can be formed to be greater than the height H2 from the door lower surface portion 224 to the upper end of the humidifying filter 330. In other words, by increasing the total height of the air filter 285, the filtering performance of the air can be improved.

On the other hand, since the humidifying filter 330 exhibits a sufficient humidifying performance even if the overall height of the humidifying filter 330 is lower than that of the air filter 285, the humidifying filter 330 can be configured to be lower in height than the air filter 285.

In addition, by the height H3 from the door lower surface 224 to the upper end portion of the blowing fan 480 being formed to be lower than the height H2 of the humidifying filter 330, the air having passed through the humidifying filter 330 is discharged to the outside as quickly as possible.

In addition, the height T1 from the door lower surface portion 224 to the lower end portion of the air filter 285 can be formed to be greater than the height T2 from the door lower surface portion 224 to the lower end portion of the humidifying filter 330. The reason for this is that, in a case of the humidifying filter 330, the water stored in the water tub 260 must be sufficiently submerged.

The height T3 from the door lower surface portion 224 to the lower end portion of the air blowing fan 480 may be formed to be higher than the height T1 of the lower end portion of the air filter 285. With this configuration, the air which has passed through the air filter 285 can be straightly moved without any direction change and quickly flow into the intake side of the air blowing fan 480.

Meanwhile, from the viewpoint of the air flow path, an intake flow path S can be formed on the intake side of the air filter 285, a first intermediate flow path S2 can be formed between the air filter 285 and the humidifying filter 330, a second intermediate flow path S3 can be formed between the humidifying filter 330 and the air blowing fan 480, and a discharge flow path S4 can be formed on the housing cover 430 corresponding to a discharge side of the air blowing fan 480.

The intake flow path S is understood as an intake flow path of the air filter 285, and can extend in the vertical direction. The widths of the intake flow path S1 in the front and rear direction may be formed to be different from each other with respect to the vertical direction. For example, the lower width of the intake flow path S1 may be formed to be larger than the upper width of the intake flow path S1. This difference in the flow path width can be attributed to a configuration in which the upper portion of the air filter 285 is disposed to be inclined forward.

The first intermediate flow path S2 may be formed above the water container 270. The first intermediate passage S2 is understood as an intake flow path of the humidifying filter 330, and may extend in the front and rear direction. The length of the first intermediate passage S2 in the front and rear direction may be formed to be greater than the length of the intake flow path S1 in the front and rear direction.

The second intermediate flow path S3 is understood as an intake flow path of the air blowing fan 480, and may extend in the front and rear direction. The air flowing through the second intermediate flow path S3 may flow in the axial direction of the air blowing fan 480. The length of the second intermediate flow path S3 in the front and rear direction may be formed to be smaller than the length of the first intermediate flow path S2 in the front and rear direction.

The discharge flow path S4 can be understood as a discharge flow path of the air blowing fan 480. The discharge flow path S4 may be formed in a space where the air blowing fan 480 is installed, that is, a space formed by the fan housing 410 and the housing cover 430. The air which has flowed through the discharge flow path S4 can be discharged upward through the discharge portion 109. The discharge flow path S4 may include the first discharge flow path 430 a (see FIG. 14) and the second discharge flow path 430 b (see FIG. 14) described above.

Accordingly, since the air filter assembly 280, the water tub 260, and the humidifying filter assembly 300 are sequentially disposed rearward from the front portion of the drawer 220, the air can be easily filtered and humidified.

FIG. 35 is a front view illustrating a housing cover according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 36 is an enlarged view of a cutoff of the housing cover illustrated in FIG. 35, FIG. 37A is a perspective view illustrating a housing cover in the related art as a comparative example, FIG. 37B is a perspective view illustrating a housing cover according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 38A is a view illustrating an outline of a cutoff of a housing cover in the related art as a comparative example, and FIG. 38B is a view illustrating an outline of a cutoff of a housing cover according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In detail, FIG. 35 is a view omitting the sensor bracket 440 for the sake of convenience.

Since other embodiments described below are the same as those of the above-described embodiment except for the configuration of the housing cover, the overlapping contents will be omitted and differences will be mainly described.

The first guide 432 can be formed so as to be away from the air blowing fan 480 in the air flow direction from the cutoff portion 435. In detail, the first guide 432 may have a scroll shape which gradually moves away from the outer circumference of the impeller 485 in the circumferential direction.

The first guide 432 may be formed between the reference angle point (k=0° or 360°) and the cutoff portion 435 about the reference point O. Here, the reference angle point (k=0° or 360°) may refer to a point where the first guide 432 and the second guide 433 meet.

The cutoff portion 435 may be positioned at about 90° in the rotational direction (for example, clockwise) of the impeller 485. The rotation center of the impeller 485 may be disposed to overlap with the cutoff portion 435 when viewed in a direction of k=90°.

The first guide 432 may be formed to be rounded in a direction orthogonal to the rotation center axis of the impeller 485 over all or a portion from the cutoff portion 435 to the reference angle point (k=0° or 360°).

The closer the reference angle point (k=0° or 360°) from the cutoff portion 435 along the rotational direction of the impeller 485, the smaller the curvature of the first guide 432 and the larger the radius of curvature have.

A first discharge flow path 430 a through which the air discharged in the radial direction by the impeller 485 flows may be formed between the inner surface of the first guide 432 and the outer surface of the impeller 485.

The flow sectional area of the first discharge flow path 430 a may gradually increase along the rotational direction of the impeller 485. In other words, the distance between the inner surface of the first guide 432 and the outer surface of the impeller 485 can be gradually increased along the rotational direction of the impeller 485.

Here, the outer surface of the impeller 485 can be understood as a circumferential surface positioned at a farthest distance from the center of the impeller 485 in the radial direction. Therefore, the outer surface of the impeller 485 may be referred to as an outer circumference of the air blowing fan 480 or an outer end portion of the air blowing fan 480.

The distance between the inner surface of the first guide 432 and the outer surface of the impeller 485 may be referred to as an inner width of the discharge flow path.

The discharge flow path internal width cf1 between the cutoff portion 435 and the point where k=180° can be formed to be narrower than the discharge flow path internal width cf2 between the point where k=180° and the point where k=270°.

The third guide 434 can extend from the cutoff portion 435 provided at one side of the first guide 432 and the second guide 433 can extend from the other side of the first guide 432.

In detail, the third guide 434 and the second guide 433 may extend in a direction away from the impeller 485, for example, substantially upward.

A second discharge flow path 430 b may be formed between the third guide 434 and the second guide 433, and the second discharge flow path 430 b is connected to the first discharge flow path 430 a.

The third guide 434 and the second guide 433 may be configured to move away from each other along the air flow direction. Therefore, the flow sectional area of the second discharge flow path 430 b may gradually increase in the air flow direction.

The cutoff portion 435 may be positioned between the first guide 432 and the third guide 434 and may be formed to protrude toward the second discharge flow path 430 b.

The cutoff portion 435 may be spaced apart from the outer surface of the impeller 485 to form a gap.

On the other hand, in a case where the gap is too large, a portion of air flowing from the first discharge flow path 430 a to the discharge flow path 433 b may be sucked into the gap again. The re-intake is defined as a back flow phenomenon. If the backflow occurs, the performance of the air blowing fan 480 may be deteriorated.

Conversely, if the gap is too small, the flow pressure can be concentrated at the end portion of the cutoff portion 435. Therefore, the flow noise can be relatively large. Therefore, the gap should be appropriately adjusted.

For example, the minimum distance g between the cutoff portion 435 and the outer surface of the impeller 485 is preferably 8% or more and 10% or less of the diameter G of the impeller 485.

In other words, the minimum distance g between the first connecting portion 702 and the outer circumference of the impeller 485 to be described below is preferably 8% or more and 10% or less of the diameter G of the impeller 485. The minimum distance g between the outer circumference of the first connecting portion 702 and the impeller 485 may be referred to as a cutoff gap.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 37A and FIG. 38A, the cutoff portion 435′ of the housing cover in the related art may be formed to be rounded in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter, first direction), and may be formed not to be rounded and but to be flat in the width direction (hereinafter, second direction).

In other words, the cutoff portion 435′ in the related art has a predetermined curvature with respect to the first direction, but the curvature thereof with respect to the second direction is zero.

Here, the first direction may mean a direction connecting the first guide 432 and the third guide 434 to each other. The second direction may be defined as a direction connecting the front end and the rear end of the cutoff portion 435.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 37B and FIG. 38B, the cutoff portion 435 of the housing cover 430 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be formed not only to be rounded with respect to the first direction, and at least a portion of the cutoff portion 435 may be formed but also to be rounded with respect to the second direction.

Accordingly, noise generated when a portion of the air flowing from the first discharge flow path 430 a to the second discharge flow path 430 b strikes the end portion of the cutoff portion 435 can be reduced.

The configuration of the cutoff portion 435 will be described in more detail.

The cutoff portion 435 includes a first connecting portion 702 connecting the outline 701 to the first guide 432 and a second connecting portion 702 connecting the outline 701 to the third guide 434.

The outline 701 can mean the end portion of the cutoff portion 435 and more specifically the outline of the portion of the cutoff portion 435 protruding most in the direction of the discharge path 433 b.

At least a portion of the outline 701 of the cutoff portion 435 may be formed at least partially rounded with respect to the second direction.

Referring to FIG. 38A, the outline 701′ of the cutoff of the housing cover in the related art has a linear shape with respect to the second direction. On the other hand, referring to FIG. 38B, the outline 701 of the cutoff portion 435 of the housing cover 430 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be formed so that at least a portion of the outline 701 has a predetermined curvature with respect to the second direction.

The flow rate of the air striking the outline 701 of the cutoff part 435 may vary depending on the position in the second direction. In other words, the outline of the cutoff portion 435 may have a different flow rate distribution for each position. For example, the flow rate of air at a point adjacent the cover plate 431 may be slower than the flow rate of air at a point adjacent to the fan housing 410 (see FIG. 12).

The outline 701 of the cutoff portion 435 of the housing cover 430 according to the present embodiment may be formed to correspond to the above-described flow rate distribution by position.

In detail, the outline 701 of the cutoff portion 435 may include a linear portion 704 inclinedly connected to the cover plate 431 and a rounded portion 705 connected to the fan housing 410 by extending from the linear portion 704.

The linear portion 704 may be elongated in an inclined direction with respect to the second direction. The angle D 1 between the outer end of the linear portion 704 and the cover plate 431 may be an obtuse angle.

On the other hand, the rounded portion 705 may be formed to be rounded to have a predetermined curvature with respect to the second direction. The rounded portion 705 may be formed to be convex toward the fan housing 410.

The angle θ 2 formed by the outer end of the rounded portion 705 and the fan housing 410 may be an acute angle. Here, the angle θ2 may means an angle formed by the tangent t with respect to the end portion of the rounded portion 705 connected to the fan housing 410 and the fan housing 410.

The length Y3 of the linear portion 704 in the second direction may be half the distance Y1 between the cover plate 431 and the fan housing 410.

In addition, the length Y2 of the rounded portion 705 with respect to the second direction may be half the distance Y1 between the cover plate 431 and the fan housing 410.

At this time, the distance Y1 between the cover plate 431 and the fan housing 410 may mean the length Y1 of the outline 701 with respect to the second direction.

In detail, a point forming the boundary between the linear portion 704 and the rounded portion 705 can be referred to as an inflection point 506. In addition, the distance Y3 between the cover plate 431 and the inflection point 506 with respect to the second direction may be half the distance Y1 between the cover plate 431 and the fan housing 410.

Likewise, the distance Y2 between the fan housing 410 and the inflection point 506 with respect to the second direction may be half the distance Y1 between the cover plate 431 and the fan housing 410.

In other words, the distance Y3 between the cover plate 431 and the inflection point 506 with respect to the second direction can be equal to the distance Y2 between the fan housing 410 and the inflection point 506.

Meanwhile, the cutoff portion 435 may be formed to be rounded with respect to the first direction. Accordingly, the third guide 434 may extend in a direction opposite to one end portion of the first guide 432.

The cutoff portion 435 may have a maximum curvature in the outline 701 with respect to the first direction.

In detail, the curvature of the first connecting portion 702 with respect to the first direction and the curvature of the second connecting portion 703 with respect to the first direction may become larger toward the outline 701, respectively, and converge to the maximum curvature.

The maximum curvature is preferably 5% of the diameter G of the impeller 485.

The maximum curvature can be kept constant along the outline 701. In other words, the curvature of the linear portion 704 in the first direction and the curvature of the rounded portion 705 in the first direction may be equal to each other.

Meanwhile, the first connecting portion 702 and the second connecting portion 703 may each include a three-dimensional curved surface. Here, the three-dimensional curved surface means a curved surface having a predetermined curvature with respect to the first direction and the second direction. Therefore, the three-dimensional curved surface may be referred to as a free curved surface.

Hereinafter, the noise reduction effect according to the structure of the cutoff portion 435 described above will be described with reference to an experimental graph.

FIG. 39 is a graph illustrating changes in noise according to the air volume of an air blowing fan installed in the housing cover in the related art and an air blowing fan installed in a housing cover according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 39, it can be confirmed that the noise generated from the air blowing fan a in the related art is greater than that of the air blowing fan b according to the present embodiment with respect to all the airflows.

Particularly, in the air blowing fan a in the related art, noise of 34.3 dB was measured when the air volume was 3.7 CMM, and in the air blowing fan b according to the present embodiment, the noise of 32.0 dB was measured when the air volume of was 3.7 CMM, and thus noise reduction effect of 2.3 dB could be confirmed.

FIG. 40A is a graph illustrating changes in noise according to an operation frequency of an air blowing fan installed in a housing cover in the related art as a comparative example, and FIG. 40B is a graph illustrating changes in noise according to an operation frequency of an air blowing fan installed in a housing cover according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 40A and FIG. 40B, it can be confirmed that noise of a specific frequency generated in the air blowing fan in the related art is reduced in the air blowing fan according to the present embodiment.

More specifically, in the air blowing fan in the related art, a first noise peak P1 of 20 dB having a first frequency between 500 Hz and 1000 Hz was measured, and a second noise peak Plof 0 dB having a second frequency between 1500 Hz and 2000 Hz was measured.

On the other hand, in the air blowing fan according to the present embodiment, the third noise peak P3 of less than 10 dB having the first frequency was measured, and the fourth noise peak P4 of less than −10 dB having the second frequency was measured. In other words, it can be confirmed that the noise at each of the first frequency and the second frequency has remarkably decreased.

FIG. 41A is a view illustrating an outline of a cutoff of a housing cover in the related art as a comparative example, FIG. 41B to FIG. 41D are diagrams illustrating an outline of a cutoff of a housing cover according to another embodiment of the present invention, according to the position of an inflection point, and FIG. 42 is a graph illustrating changes in noise according to the air volume of an air blowing fan installed in each housing cover illustrated in FIG. 41A to FIG. 41D.

The outline 701′ of the cutoff 435′ illustrated in FIG. 41A has a vertical line shape.

The outline 701 of the cutoff 435 illustrated in FIG. 41B may have an inflection point 706 at 20% of the height thereof. In other words, the height (0.2*Y1) of the linear portion 704 may be 0.2 times the height Y1 of the outline 701 and the height (0.8*Y1) of the rounded portion 705 may be the height may be 0.8 times the height Y1 of the outline 701.

The outline 701 of the cutoff 435 illustrated in FIG. 41C may have an inflection point 706 at 50% of the height thereof. In other words, the height (0.5*Y1) of the linear portion 704 and the height (0.5*Y1) of the rounded portion 705 may be 0.5 times the height Y1 of the outline 701, respectively.

The outline 701 of the cutoff 435 illustrated in FIG. 41D may have an inflection point 706 at 80% of the height thereof. In other words, the height (0.8*Y1) of the linear portion 704 may be 0.8 times the height Y1 of the outline 701 and the height (0.2*Y1) of the rounded portion 705 may be 0.2 times the height Y1 of the outline 701.

Referring to FIG. 42, it can be checked that the air blowing fans b, c, and d installed in the housing cover 430 according to the present embodiment are less noise than the air blowing fan a installed in the housing cover of the related art.

Hereinafter, the air blowing fan installed in the housing cover having the outline 701 illustrated in FIG. 41B is referred to as a first air blowing fan b, the air blowing fan installed in the housing cover having the outline 701 illustrated in FIG. 41C is referred to as a second air blowing fan c, and the air blowing fan installed in the housing cover having an outline 701 illustrated in FIG. 41D is referred to as a third air blowing fan d.

Based on a case where the air volume is 5.3 CMM, a noise of 41.7 dB was measured in the air blowing fan a installed on the housing cover in the related art, a noise of 40.9 dB was measured in the first air blower fan (b), noise of 40.4 dB was measured in the second air blowing fan c, and 41.4 dB was measured in the third air blowing fan d. In other words, when compared with the air blowing fan a installed in the housing cover in the related art, the first air blowing fan b was reduced by 0.8 dB, the second air blowing fan c was reduced by 1.3 dB, and the third air blowing fan d was reduced by 0.3 dB.

As a result, the air blowing fans b, c, and d installed in the housing cover 430 according to the present embodiment have a noise reduction effect compared to the air blowing fan a in the related art, and in particular, in a case where the inflection point 706 is positioned at a point of 50% of the height of the outline (702), the noise reduction effect can be best.

Even though all the elements of the embodiments are coupled into one or operated in the combined state, the present disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment. In other words, all the elements may be selectively combined with each other without departing the scope of the invention. Furthermore, when it is described that one comprises (or includes or has) some elements, it should be understood that it may comprise (or include or have) only those elements, or it may comprise (or include or have) other elements as well as those elements if there is no specific limitation. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms comprising technical or scientific terms are to be given meanings understood by those skilled in the art. Like terms defined in dictionaries, generally used terms needs to be construed as meaning used in technical contexts and are not construed as ideal or excessively formal meanings unless otherwise clearly defined herein.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the preferred embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, and also the technical scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments. Furthermore, is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being comprised in the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A humidifying air purifier comprising: a cabinet, wherein the cabinet includes a pair of side panels, and an upper panel and a rear panel interconnecting the pair of side panels, respectively; a door assembly coupled to a front of the cabinet and configured and supported to be selectively drawn out of the cabinet and drawn into the cabinet; an intake formed in the door assembly to allow air to flow through the intake into an inner portion of the cabinet; a discharge portion positioned on a rear side of the upper panel and from which air is discharged; and a discharge grill including a plurality of grill guides extending so as to be inclined forward toward an upper end of the discharge grill and covering an upper side of the discharge portion.
 2. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of grill guides are spaced apart from each other in a front to rear direction.
 3. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the rear panel includes an upper surface extending forward, and wherein the discharge portion includes a vertical opening on an upper surface of the rear panel.
 4. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the rear panel includes a grill installing groove, and the discharge grill is seated in the grill installing groove with upper ends of the plurality of grill guides being positioned at the same height as an upper end of the upper panel.
 5. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 1, further comprising: an air blowing fan; and a housing cover provided inside the cabinet and having an outer surface surrounding the air blowing fan.
 6. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 5, wherein the outer surface of the housing cover includes a guide plate extending from the housing cover and guiding air passing through the air blowing fan upward in a radial direction; and an extension plate extending laterally along an upper end of the housing cover from an end portion of the guide plate.
 7. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 6, wherein the extension plate includes a stepped rib configured to support the discharge grill.
 8. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 5, wherein the air blowing fan includes an impeller for sucking and discharging air, wherein a blade of the impeller includes: a maximum camber point defined as a point on a negative pressure surface of the blade corresponding to a point having a maximum camber on an average camber line; and a reference point defined as another point on the negative pressure surface of the blade where the distance between the negative pressure surface and a positive pressure surface is maximum, and wherein the negative pressure surface of the blade includes a linear surface formed as a flat surface from the maximum camber point to a leading edge of the blade.
 9. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 5, wherein the housing cover further includes a sensor bracket to which at least one sensor device is mounted.
 10. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 9, wherein the sensor bracket is positioned in a recessed space formed by the outer surface of the housing cover.
 11. A humidifying air purifier, comprising: a cabinet, the cabinet including a pair of side panels, and an upper panel and a rear panel interconnecting the pair of side panels, respectively; an opening portion defined on an upper portion of the cabinet and positioned at a rear side of the upper panel; a scroll housing disposed on a lower side of the opening portion; and an air blowing fan mounted inside the scroll housing, wherein the scroll housing includes a first guide formed to be rounded and surrounding a portion of an outer surface of the air blowing fan; a second guide positioned closer to one side panel of the pair of side panels and extending upward at one end portion of the first guide; and a third guide positioned closer to the other side panel of the pair of side panels and extending upward from the other end portion of the first guide, and wherein a distance between an upper end of the third guide and the other side panel is longer than a distance between an upper end of the second guide and the one side panel.
 12. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 11, wherein the third guide extends obliquely in a direction away from the second guide toward the upper portion of the cabinet.
 13. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 11, wherein the upper end of the third guide is disposed so as to overlap with the first guide in a downward direction.
 14. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 11, wherein the scroll housing further includes an extension plate extending from the upper end of the third guide toward the other side panel.
 15. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 14, wherein the opening portion includes: a discharge portion communicating with a space between the second guide and the third guide; and a non-discharge portion facing the extension plate in a downward direction.
 16. A humidifying air purifier comprising: a cabinet; a door assembly configured and supported to be selectively drawn out of the cabinet and drawn into the cabinet; a fan housing disposed in the cabinet; a fan motor coupled to the fan housing; an air blowing fan coupled with the fan motor; and a housing cover coupled to a rear side of the fan housing and accommodating the air blowing fan, wherein the housing cover includes a cover plate forming a rear surface of the housing cover; and a guide plate extending forward along a side end of the cover plate and defining a discharge flow path for air from the air blowing fan, the guide plate including a first guide extending along a rotation direction of the air blowing fan spaced from the air blowing fan.
 17. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 16, wherein the guide plate further includes: a second guide extending upward from the first guide; and a third guide positioned on an opposite side of the second guide from the first guide and extending upwardly from the first guide so as to be inclined relative to the first guide.
 18. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 17, wherein the guide plate includes a cutoff portion positioned between the first guide and the third guide, and wherein the cutoff portion protrudes toward the discharge flow path.
 19. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 18, wherein an inner surface of the cutoff portion is formed as a curved surface with a plurality of recessed surface portions and protruding surface portions.
 20. The humidifying air purifier according to claim 18, wherein the cutoff portion is rounded with respect to a first direction defined as a direction interconnecting the first guide and the third guide, and wherein at least a portion of the cutoff portion is rounded with respect to a second direction defined as a direction interconnecting a front end and a rear end of the cutoff portion. 